Ukrainian and European officials have firmly dismissed allegations from Moscow claiming that Ukraine attempted to strike a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin with drones this week. This incident has the potential to complicate ongoing U.S.-led peace negotiations as the new year approaches. On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that dozens of drones were allegedly deployed in the attack on Putin’s residence located in the northern Novgorod region. He further warned that Moscow would reassess its negotiating stance in light of these allegations.
Reports from U.S. national security officials indicate that there was no evidence to support the claim that Ukraine targeted Putin or any of his properties. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that a CIA assessment corroborated this conclusion, stating there was no attempt to target Putin. A CIA spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
Initially, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for Russia’s claims, relaying that Putin had informed him of the alleged incident, which left the Russian leader “very angry.” By Wednesday, however, Trump appeared more skeptical, sharing an editorial from the New York Post that accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have vehemently denied carrying out such an attack, characterizing the allegations as part of a Russian disinformation campaign intended to create a rift between Kyiv and Washington. Following a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which both parties described as cordial and productive, Ukraine distributed a detailed briefing paper to European Union delegations on Tuesday. This document claimed that Russia’s allegations aimed to “sabotage” the agreements reached during the discussion.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, labeled Russia’s claims as “a deliberate distraction.” She emphasized that “no one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war.”
As of Wednesday, there has been no independent confirmation of the alleged attack. The assertions from Russia and the responses from Ukraine and the EU highlight the ongoing struggle to influence Trump’s perception of the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO and special representative for Ukraine negotiations during Trump’s first term, noted, “There is no evidence” to suggest that Putin seeks peace or desires Ukraine’s success, contradicting Trump’s recent statements following his conversation with the Russian leader.
In a related development, on Wednesday, Russia’s defense ministry released video footage featuring Major General Alexander Romanenkov, detailing the alleged drone attack on Putin’s residence. The video included clips of a Russian serviceman presenting fragments of what was claimed to be a downed Ukrainian drone, identified as a Chaklun-V, which was reportedly equipped with a 6-kilogram explosive device that had not detonated. The Ukrainian foreign ministry quickly dismissed the footage, asserting they were “absolutely confident” that no attack took place.
Prior to Lavrov’s accusations, Novgorod Governor Alexander Dronov stated that air defenses and fighter jets had intercepted Ukrainian drones. While Trump suggested the attack could have been a Russian false flag operation, he has previously shown a willingness to accept contentious statements from Putin without skepticism. Earlier this year, Trump echoed Putin’s claims that Russian forces had encircled Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, despite U.S. intelligence contradicting that narrative.
The debate surrounding the alleged Ukrainian drone attack also coincides with ongoing discussions among some Western intelligence officials about Russia’s strategy to delay further punitive measures from Washington aimed at compelling Moscow toward a peace agreement.
In the Ukrainian briefing paper reviewed by Reuters, Kyiv pointed out that various Russian officials issued strikingly similar public comments shortly after the alleged attack, suggesting a level of pre-coordination among Moscow’s representatives. Additionally, local residents near Putin’s Novgorod residence reported hearing no sounds of air defenses during the night the attack was said to have occurred.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian defense ministry provided inconsistent accounts regarding the alleged Ukrainian drone attacks. Initially, they claimed to have intercepted 89 long-range Ukrainian attack drones across the country within a specific timeframe, including 18 over the Novgorod region, without linking any to an attack on Putin’s residence. Later, the ministry adjusted its figures, stating that 91 drones had been intercepted, all allegedly headed for Putin’s residence, with 41 downed over Novgorod between Saturday and Sunday.
As the situation continues to unfold, both sides are actively working to shape public perception and diplomatic discussions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
