The EU's top diplomat has dismissed Moscow's claims that Ukraine targeted Russian government sites a deliberate distraction and an attempt to derail the peace process.
Kaja Kallas' comments on social media appear to reference the Kremlin's allegation that Ukraine attempted a drone strike on one of Vladimir Putin's residences.
No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians, Kallas wrote on social media.
Earlier this week, Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting Putin's private home on Lake Valdai in north-west Russia.
Russia stated it would re-evaluate its position in ongoing peace negotiations as a consequence of the allegations. Since the claims were made by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the discourse among Russian officials has grown increasingly incendiary.
The attack is a strike on the heart of Russia, asserted Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament's defense committee. After what [Ukraine] has done, there can be no forgiveness.\
While the Kremlin initially refrained from providing evidence for the alleged attack, on Wednesday it released what it claimed was proof of the attempted strike, including a map indicating that drones were launched from Ukrainian territories.
However, the BBC has not been able to verify the authenticity of the footage presented by Russian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vehemently denied the allegations, linking them to ongoing negotiations led by the United States in favor of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The claims about the supposed drone attack coincide with ongoing Ukrainian efforts to secure peace negotiation terms before the start of the new year.
With the looming specter of continued violence, analysts warn that the allegations could delay or derail peace talks even further.
