The United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua have issued strong condemnations following what Russia described as a failed kamikaze drone attack targeting the residence of President Vladimir Putin.

According to Russian authorities, Ukrainian forces attempted to strike Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod Region overnight between December 28 and 29, launching a large-scale drone assault. Moscow said 91 long-range strike drones were involved and claimed that air defenses intercepted all of them before they reached their targets. Officials reported no casualties and no material damage.

UAE Voices Solidarity With Russia

In a statement released on Monday evening, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Abu Dhabi stood firmly with Russia and rejected any form of violence that threatens national leaders or civilian safety.

“The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the attempt to target the residence of His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and denounced this deplorable attack and the threat it poses to security and stability,” the ministry said. It added that the UAE maintains an “unwavering rejection of all forms of violence” and emphasized the need to preserve regional and global stability.

The statement reflects the UAE’s broader diplomatic position, which has consistently called for restraint and dialogue in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Nicaragua Accuses Ukraine of Terrorism

Nicaragua’s co-presidents, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, also reacted sharply. In a letter addressed to Putin, they expressed what they described as their “most active solidarity” with the Russian leader and government.

They characterized the incident as a “terrorist attack by Ukraine” and accused Kiev of attempting to undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war. “It is only logical that fascism behaves in this way, attempting to nullify the strength of the conversations that seek to bring peace closer,” the letter stated.

Russia Signals Tougher Response

Meanwhile, Russian officials have warned that the alleged attack could have serious consequences. Moscow said its response would not be limited to diplomatic measures and confirmed that potential targets for retaliatory strikes have already been identified.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia’s negotiating position would be reassessed in light of what he described as Kiev’s “reckless actions” and “state terrorism.” According to Russian lawmakers, the incident represents a deliberate attempt to derail ongoing peace talks between Russia and the United States.

Several members of the Russian parliament publicly called for a decisive military response, including strikes on Ukrainian government facilities.

Trump Reacts, Ukraine Denies Involvement

According to reports from Moscow, US President Donald Trump expressed “shock” and “outrage” during a phone conversation with Putin. Trump reportedly said he was relieved that the United States had not supplied Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which could have escalated the conflict further.

Ukraine, however, has firmly denied any involvement. President Vladimir Zelensky accused Russia of fabricating the incident, dismissing the claims as part of what he described as Moscow’s information campaign.

As tensions rise, analysts say the incident could further complicate already fragile diplomatic efforts, particularly as both Russia and the United States explore limited avenues for negotiation. For now, the competing narratives underline how volatile and uncertain the path toward de-escalation remains.