EU Refutes Moscow’s ‘Ukrainian Drone’ Claim as Tensions Escalate

Brussels Dismisses Kremlin Narrative Amid Fresh Strikes

Brussels—The European Union’s top diplomat on Monday flatly rejected Russia’s accusation that Ukraine attempted to assassinate senior officials with a wave of drone strikes on Moscow government buildings, calling the claim a "cynical attempt to justify fresh bombardments."

Speaking to reporters before an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers, High Representative Josep Borrell said intelligence shared among member states "shows no evidence of Ukrainian involvement in the alleged overnight attack."

"Russia is again trying to flip the script—accusing others of the very aggression it is committing," Borrell said. "We will not be swayed by manufactured pretexts."

What Moscow Says Happened

Russia’s defense ministry released footage of broken window panes inside the Kremlin Senate and what it described as the remnants of three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) packed with "NATO-grade explosives." State television aired security-camera clips of a low-flying object bursting into a fireball near the dome of the Russian White House shortly after 2 a.m. local time.

Within hours, the speaker of Russia’s lower house demanded "immediate retribution," while the defense ministry vowed "massive strikes on Ukrainian decision-making centers."

Kyiv’s Immediate Denial

Ukrainian officials were equally swift in denying any role. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak mocked the allegation on social media, suggesting Russian air defenses had misfired and that "Moscow is burning its own stage props."

Independent analysts note that Russia has a history of announcing spectacular Ukrainian "attacks" on Russian soil at moments when diplomatic pressure or battlefield setbacks peak. "The timing is textbook," said Dr. Hanna Shelest, director of the think tank "Security Initiatives" in Kyiv. "It diverts domestic attention from a grinding counter-offensive."

EU Considers New Sanctions Package

Behind closed doors, diplomats said ministers discussed a ninth sanctions package targeting Russian drone-engine components and encryption software. A draft text seen by this correspondent includes:

• tighter export controls on civilian-grade microchips that can be repurposed for military UAVs;
• asset freezes on executives at two Russian defense plants suspected of manufacturing the Shahed-136 drones used against Ukrainian cities;
• a ban on EU-based insurers covering Russian aviation and maritime fleets linked to the defense ministry.

Approval could come as early as Wednesday, officials said, although Hungary continues to push for exemptions for Russian nuclear fuel.

On the Ground: Fresh Strikes on Kyiv

Even as diplomats debated, explosions rocked Kyiv’s Podil district early Tuesday, killing at least three people and wounding 19, according to city authorities. Rescue teams pulled a 9-year-old girl from the rubble of a kindergarten, images that quickly ricocheted across Western media.

Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 21 of 26 cruise missiles launched from the Caspian Sea, but the sheer volume overwhelmed local defenses. "Every night is a lottery," said resident Olena Kovalenko, clutching her cat outside a bomb shelter. "You go to sleep not knowing if you’ll wake up."

Western Military Aid in the Balance

The latest escalation comes as U.S. lawmakers haggle over a White House request for an additional $24 billion in security assistance. Republican skeptics want tighter oversight, while progressive Democrats demand parallel humanitarian commitments.

"Any delay is measured in Ukrainian lives," warned Daria Kaleniuk, executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre in Kyiv, lobbying Capitol Hill last week. "We need Patriots, not just promises."

Market Reaction

European natural-gas futures jumped 7 % on the news, while Brent crude climbed back above $90 a barrel. The euro slid to a three-month low against the dollar as investors priced in prolonged conflict. Moscow’s MOEX index fell 2.4 %, extending year-to-date losses to 38 %.

What Happens Next

EU leaders will reconvene at a special summit next week, where Ukraine’s bid for accelerated membership is expected to dominate. In the meantime, diplomats say the bloc is coordinating with G7 partners on a price-cap adjustment for Russian petroleum products, hoping to choke off Moscow’s war chest without spiking global energy costs.

Back in Brussels, Borrell was blunt about the road ahead: "Russia is betting that we will tire. We must prove them wrong."