Ukrainian and European Union officials have dismissed allegations from Moscow that Ukraine attempted a drone attack on a residence belonging to Russian President **Vladimir Putin** in the Novgorod region. The incident, which occurred this week, has raised concerns about its potential impact on ongoing peace negotiations led by the United States.
On Monday, **Sergei Lavrov**, Russia’s Foreign Minister, claimed that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence using dozens of drones. He stated that Moscow would reconsider its negotiating stance as a result of this purported attack. However, U.S. national security officials have reportedly concluded that Ukraine did not aim for Putin or any of his properties during the drone strike, according to the *Wall Street Journal*. This assessment was supported by a CIA evaluation, which found no evidence of an attack on Putin. A CIA spokesperson could not be reached for immediate comment.
Initially, former U.S. President **Donald Trump** expressed sympathy towards Russia’s claims, noting that Putin conveyed his anger about the incident during a conversation with him. By the following Wednesday, Trump appeared to adopt a more skeptical view, sharing an editorial from the *New York Post* that accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have categorically denied the accusations, labeling them as a **Russian disinformation campaign** aimed at creating discord between Kyiv and Washington. Following a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelenskiy**, where both sides described the discussions as positive and productive, Ukraine distributed a detailed briefing paper to EU delegations. This document asserted that the Russian claims were intended to undermine the agreements reached during the meeting.
On December 6, **Kaja Kallas**, the EU’s chief diplomat, referred to Russia’s allegations as “a deliberate distraction.” She emphasized that no one should accept baseless claims from an aggressor that has consistently targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians since the war began.
As of now, there has been no independent verification of the alleged drone attack. The contrasting narratives from Russia and Ukraine illustrate the ways in which both sides are attempting to influence Trump’s perspective on the nearly four-year-long conflict in Ukraine. **Kurt Volker**, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, stated, “There is no evidence” that Putin desires peace or wants Ukraine to succeed, countering Trump’s recent assertions after speaking with the Russian leader.
In response to the allegations, Russia’s defense ministry released a video purportedly showing Major General **Alexander Romanenkov** discussing the supposed attack. The video featured a Russian serviceman beside fragments of what was claimed to be a downed Ukrainian drone, which allegedly carried a 6-kilogram explosive device that failed to detonate. Ukraine’s foreign ministry dismissed this footage, asserting confidence that no attack occurred.
Before Lavrov’s accusations, **Alexander Dronov**, the governor of Novgorod, reported that air defense systems and fighter jets were intercepting Ukrainian drones. Trump, while initially sympathetic to Russia’s claims, suggested the possibility of a false flag operation by Russia.
The ongoing debate regarding the alleged attack coincides with discussions among some Western intelligence officials who believe Russia is attempting to delay additional punitive measures from Washington that could push Moscow towards a peace agreement.
In their briefing paper, Ukrainian officials noted that various Russian representatives made similar public statements shortly after the alleged incident, indicating possible prior coordination among Moscow officials. They also highlighted that residents near Putin’s residence reported hearing no air defense activity on the night of the claimed attack.
The Russian defense ministry has provided inconsistent accounts of the alleged Ukrainian drone actions. In a statement released on December 3, the ministry claimed that 89 long-range Ukrainian drones were intercepted across the country, 18 of which were reportedly downed over the Novgorod region. This was followed by a more recent assertion that 91 drones aimed at Putin’s residence were intercepted.
As the situation develops, both Ukrainian and Russian narratives continue to evolve, underscoring the complexities of information warfare in the ongoing conflict.
