US Officials Refute Kremlin Drone Attack Claim on Putin Residence Amid Peace Talks
Updated (9 articles)
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Large‑Scale Drone Strike Moscow’s defence ministry announced that 91 long‑range drones were launched from northern Ukraine toward President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, all of which were allegedly intercepted by Russian air defences [2][9][6]. The claim was accompanied by a video of a downed drone and navigation‑memory data that Russia said it handed to the U.S. military attaché as proof [3]. Kremlin officials framed the incident as “state terrorism” and said it would prompt a review of Russia’s negotiating position in ongoing peace talks [9][6]. No independent footage or local reporting has confirmed the strike, and the figures for drones downed have varied between Russian statements [6][5].
Ukraine and U.S. Intelligence Reject the Attack Narrative President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the allegation as a fabrication, stating that Kyiv has no evidence of any operation against the Russian residence [2][7]. CIA and other U.S. national‑security officials concluded that Ukraine did not target the Putin complex, a finding briefed to President Donald Trump [4][1]. Trump later echoed the U.S. assessment, telling reporters the strike “did not happen” and urging caution until the claim could be verified [1][4]. The United States’ position directly contradicts the Kremlin’s narrative and undermines Moscow’s attempt to use the incident as leverage [3][2].
Diplomatic Efforts Continue Despite Disputed Incident High‑level talks on a U.S.‑backed 20‑point peace framework proceeded, with Zelenskyy meeting Trump in Florida to discuss the plan while rejecting the Kremlin’s accusation [1][7]. Russia said it would reassess its stance in the negotiations, but the EU’s top diplomat labeled Moscow’s claim a deliberate distraction aimed at derailing the process [5]. Both sides continue to focus on the status of Donbas, where Russia controls most of Donetsk and Luhansk, as the central hurdle to any settlement [7][9]. Despite the controversy, diplomatic channels remain open, and no concrete changes to the negotiating agenda have been announced [1][5].
Evidence Presented by Moscow Remains Unverified Russia’s defence ministry released what it described as drone navigation‑memory data and a video of a downed UAV, claiming these prove the target was Putin’s residence [3][6]. Independent journalists, including the BBC, have been unable to verify the authenticity or origin of the footage, noting that the drone’s appearance resembles a Chaklun but cannot be conclusively linked to Ukraine [5]. Western officials expressed skepticism, citing the lack of corroborating local reports, social‑media evidence, or third‑party intelligence [4][6]. The disputed evidence has therefore done little to shift the consensus among NATO and EU partners that the claim is unsubstantiated [4][5].
Sources (9 articles)
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[1]
The Hindu: US officials say Ukraine didn’t target Putin residence in drone strike, contradicting Kremlin claim: Highlights U.S. denial, Trump’s skepticism, and ongoing peace‑plan talks, emphasizing the gap between Kremlin assertions and U.S. intelligence .
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[2]
The Hindu: Russia alleges Ukraine drone attack on Putin residence as new strikes intensify: Details Russia’s 91‑drone claim, Ukraine’s dismissal, and the broader context of intensified Russian strikes in occupied territories .
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[3]
The Hindu: Russia hands to U.S. what it says is proof of attempted Ukrainian strike on Putin residence: Reports Moscow’s hand‑over of drone data to the U.S. attaché and the U.S. officials’ dispute of the claim .
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[4]
CNN: CIA finds Ukraine did not target Putin residence in drone attack, contradicting Kremlin claim: Covers the CIA assessment, Trump’s angry reaction, and the New York Post editorial questioning the strike’s existence .
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[5]
BBC: EU top diplomat rejects Russia's claim of Ukrainian attack on Putin's residence: Features the EU’s condemnation of the claim as a distraction and notes the lack of verifiable evidence .
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[6]
CNN: Kremlin again claims Ukrainian drone attack on Putin residence but offers no evidence: Reiterates Moscow’s accusation, cites inconsistent drone‑down numbers, and records Western skepticism .
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[7]
BBC: Ukraine denies drone attack on Putin’s residence as peace talks loom: Presents Zelenskyy’s denial, Russian claims of interception, and the impact on negotiation dynamics .
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[8]
Newsweek: Trump says he is very angry over alleged Ukrainian attack on Putin residence as peace talks tense: Highlights Trump’s anger, Russian claims of 91 drones, and the broader diplomatic backdrop .
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[9]
The Hindu: Russia says Ukraine attacked Putin’s residence; Moscow reviews negotiating stance: Links the alleged attack to a promised review of Russia’s negotiating position and notes uncertainty about Putin’s presence .
Timeline
Dec 29, 2025 – Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announces that Ukraine launched 91 long‑range drones at President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, claims all were intercepted, and says Moscow will review its negotiating position in the peace talks. [9]
Dec 29, 2025 – President Putin reportedly discusses the alleged drone strike with U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting the Kremlin to say Russia will reassess its stance on agreements with Washington. [9]
Dec 29, 2025 – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects the Moscow allegation as a fabrication intended to derail diplomacy, urging partners to verify the claim with their own intelligence. [9][4][2]
Dec 29, 2025 – The U.S. ambassador to NATO says it is unclear whether the attack occurred and that intelligence will be examined, reflecting growing Western skepticism. [4]
Dec 29, 2025 – Context: Russia controls about 75 % of Donetsk and 99 % of Luhansk, making the Donbas region a central hurdle in any settlement. [2]
Dec 30, 2025 – President Donald Trump tells reporters at Mar‑a‑Lago that he is “very angry” about the alleged strike on Putin’s house, calling it a line crossed beyond mere offensiveness. [5]
Dec 30, 2025 – Lavrov reiterates that 91 drones were launched and intercepted, labels the operation “state terrorism,” and says it will influence Russia’s negotiating stance. [5]
Dec 30, 2025 – Zelenskyy condemns the Russian narrative as lies, warning that such accusations aim to justify further attacks on Kyiv and undermine the peace process. [5]
Dec 31, 2025 – EU foreign‑policy chief Josep Kallas posts that Moscow’s claim of a Ukrainian attack on Putin’s residence is a deliberate distraction from peace talks, urging the West not to accept Russian narratives. [1]
Dec 31, 2025 – The Kremlin releases a map of alleged drone launch sites in Sumy and Chernihiv and a video of a downed UAV, but the BBC cannot verify the footage and notes the drone only resembles a Chaklun model. [1]
Dec 31, 2025 – Ukraine’s foreign ministry calls the Russian evidence “laughable” and dismisses it as fabricated, while Zelenskyy links the claim to the ongoing U.S.–led ceasefire negotiations, saying the peace deal is 90 % complete. [1]
Jan 1, 2026 – CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefs President Trump that the CIA assessment finds Ukraine did not target any residence used by Putin, undercutting Moscow’s allegation. [3]
Jan 1, 2026 – Trump reacts with anger, saying he is “very angry” about the claim and noting that Putin told him the attack occurred, before the CIA report reaches him. [3]
Jan 1, 2026 – The Wall Street Journal reports the CIA’s conclusion, and the New York Post publishes an editorial arguing the drone strike likely never happened, framing the episode as political bluster. [3]
Jan 1, 2026 – Russia’s defence ministry hands a video and alleged drone‑navigation‑memory data to the U.S. military attaché, claiming the files prove the target was Putin’s Novgorod residence. [8]
Jan 1, 2026 – U.S. national‑security officials dispute the Russian evidence, saying they find no indication that Ukraine targeted the residence, and Trump begins to express skepticism, sharing the New York Post editorial. [8]
Jan 2, 2026 – Russia again asserts a 91‑drone attack on Putin’s residence, releases additional video, and says it has provided the data to the United States to substantiate the claim. [7]
Jan 2, 2026 – Zelenskyy again dismisses the allegation as a fabrication, stating Kyiv has no credible evidence of any strike on the Russian president’s home. [7]
Jan 2, 2026 – CIA‑backed reports reiterate that Ukraine did not target the residence, reinforcing the counter‑narrative to Moscow’s story. [7]
Jan 2, 2026 – On New Year’s Eve, Ukrainian drones hit a café and a hotel in Russian‑occupied Kherson, killing at least 27 people and injuring more than 50, illustrating the war’s continued intensity despite diplomatic talks. [7]
Jan 5, 2026 – Senior U.S. officials publicly state that Ukraine did not conduct a drone strike on Putin’s residence, aligning with the CIA assessment and providing Washington’s position in the peace‑plan negotiations. [6]
Jan 5, 2026 – Trump tells reporters that the strike “didn’t happen,” citing the American officials’ findings and urging that the claim be questioned until proven. [6]
Jan 5, 2026 – Zelenskyy meets Trump in Florida to discuss the U.S. 20‑point peace plan, again denying any Ukrainian involvement in the alleged attack. [6]
Jan 5, 2026 – Analysts note that President Putin continues to seek full control of the Donbas, underscoring that the war remains far from a resolution despite diplomatic overtures. [6]
External resources (3 links)
- https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-finds-ukraine-didnt-target-putin-in-drone-strike-615ce4be?mod=hp_lead_pos3 (cited 1 times)