U.S. Officials Refute Kremlin Drone Attack Claim on Putin Residence Amid Peace Talks
Updated (9 articles)
Russia’s 91‑Drone Allegation Targets Putin’s Novgorod Home Moscow announced that Ukraine launched a raid of 91 long‑range drones against the presidential residence in the Novgorod region on Dec 28‑29, claiming all were intercepted by Russian air defenses and presenting video and navigation‑memory data as proof [2][9]. The Kremlin framed the strike as “state terrorism” and said it would review its negotiating stance in response [9][6]. Russian officials repeatedly emphasized the attack’s timing to undermine ongoing U.S.–Ukraine peace discussions [6][5].
Kyiv Denies Any Attack and Labels the Claim Disinformation President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the allegation as a fabrication, stating no credible evidence exists that Ukraine targeted the residence [1][2][7]. Ukraine’s foreign ministry called the Russian “evidence” laughable and warned the story could be used to justify further aggression [5][7]. Multiple Ukrainian officials stressed that the claim distracts from diplomatic efforts and offered no operational details to substantiate the drone launch [3][9].
U.S. Intelligence Concludes No Ukrainian Targeting of the Residence National security officials, including the CIA, assessed that Ukraine did not aim a drone at Putin’s home, finding no supporting data in the alleged navigation‑memory files [4][1]. The Wall Street Journal reported the CIA briefed President Trump on this conclusion, and the assessment was echoed by other U.S. agencies [4][3]. These findings contradict Moscow’s narrative and undermine the Kremlin’s attempt to leverage the incident in negotiations [1][4].
Political Reactions Focus on Peace Negotiations, Not the Alleged Strike Trump initially expressed anger after hearing the claim but later shifted to skepticism, citing the U.S. intelligence assessment and linking to a New York Post editorial questioning the story [1][4][8]. Zelenskyy met Trump in Florida to discuss a 20‑point peace plan, denying the attack during the talks and emphasizing progress toward a ceasefire [1][7]. Both sides indicated that the dispute over the drone claim would not halt ongoing diplomatic exchanges, though Russia warned it could affect its negotiating position [6][9].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu “US officials say Ukraine didn’t target Putin residence in drone strike, contradicting Kremlin claim”: Reports U.S. denial of the strike, Trump’s shifting stance, and ongoing peace‑plan talks .
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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, Kyiv’s denial, and related New Year’s Eve Kherson attack .
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The Hindu “Russia hands to U.S. what it says is proof of attempted Ukrainian strike on Putin residence”: Describes Russia’s hand‑over of alleged drone data to the U.S. and Trump’s evolving reaction .
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CNN “CIA finds Ukraine did not target Putin residence in drone attack, contradicting Kremlin claim”: Highlights CIA assessment, Trump’s anger, and the New York Post editorial .
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BBC “EU top diplomat rejects Russia's claim of Ukrainian attack on Putin's residence”: Features EU foreign policy chief’s dismissal of the claim as a distraction and Ukraine’s rebuttal .
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CNN “Kremlin again claims Ukrainian drone attack on Putin residence but offers no evidence”: Reiterates Moscow’s claim without proof and notes Western skepticism .
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BBC “Ukraine denies drone attack on Putin’s residence as peace talks loom”: Covers Kyiv’s denial, Russian interception figures, and Florida peace talks .
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Newsweek “Trump says he is very angry over alleged Ukrainian attack on Putin residence as peace talks tense”: Reports Trump’s anger, Russian 91‑drone narrative, and Zelenskyy’s condemnation .
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The Hindu “Russia says Ukraine attacked Putin’s residence; Moscow reviews negotiating stance”: Links the alleged attack to a potential hardening of Russia’s negotiating position .
Timeline
Dec 28, 2025 – Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accuses Ukraine of launching a 91‑drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, calling it “state terrorism,” says all drones are intercepted, and announces Moscow will review its negotiating stance and consider retaliatory targets; Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov adds that “Americans … press Kyiv to take real steps toward a final settlement”[9].
Dec 30, 2025 – President Volodymyr Zelensky dismisses the Kremlin’s allegation as a fabrication, declares “Russia repeatedly takes such actions,” and stresses Ukraine’s commitment to ongoing U.S.–Ukraine talks in Florida that explore a revised 20‑point peace plan and a possible war end by 2026[5][2].
Dec 30, 2025 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeats the claim, labeling the alleged drone raid a “terrorist attack” intended to sabotage U.S.–led peace talks, while the U.S. ambassador to NATO says “it is unclear whether the attack occurred” and notes the absence of independent verification[4].
Dec 30, 2025 – Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov asserts that all 91 drones were intercepted and says Russia will “toughen its negotiating stance” despite providing no evidence; Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha counters that “there is no plausible evidence” of any strike[2].
Dec 31, 2025 – EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas posts that “unfounded claims from the aggressor should not be accepted,” and Zelensky tells allies the peace agreement is “90 % ready” with only 10 % remaining, warning the claim could be used as a pretext for further strikes on Kyiv[1].
Jan 1, 2026 – CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefs President Trump that the agency finds Ukraine did not target Putin’s residence, prompting Trump to say he is “very angry” about the Russian allegation and to question its credibility[3].
Jan 1, 2026 – Russia’s defence ministry hands a video and alleged drone navigation‑memory data to the U.S. military attaché, claiming it proves the target was Putin’s residence, while U.S. officials dispute the evidence and say intelligence finds no Ukrainian strike[8].
Jan 2, 2026 – Moscow releases new footage of a downed drone and reasserts the 91‑drone allegation, saying it has provided the data to the United States; the same day a New Year’s Eve Ukrainian drone raid on Russian‑held Kherson kills at least 27 civilians, highlighting the conflict’s escalation[7].
Early 2026 – Diplomatic sources report that Washington plans to offer security guarantees to Ukraine as part of its broader peace framework, aiming to bolster Kyiv’s negotiating position in the ongoing talks[7].
Jan 5, 2026 – Senior U.S. national‑security officials state unequivocally that no drone strike on Putin’s residence occurred, and President Trump publicly declares “the strike didn’t happen,” while Zelenskyy meets Trump in Florida to discuss the U.S. 20‑point peace plan[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)