US Intel Contradicts Russian Claim, Says Ukraine Didn't Target Putin’s Residence: Reports

Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 10:33 IST

US intelligence, including the CIA, has suggested that Ukraine may not have targeted any of Putin’s residences in the recent alleged drone attack in northern Russia, reports said.

Donald Trump, left, and Vladimir Putin, right (Photo: AP)

US intelligence has determined that Ukraine did not target one of the residences of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a recent alleged drone attack in northern Russia, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.

The assessment, which included input from the CIA, undercuts claims made by Moscow and initially accepted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, the Central Intelligence Agency’s evaluation found no evidence that Ukraine had attempted to strike Putin or any of his residences.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the conclusion, which was later confirmed by US officials, as per the report.

CNN also reported on Wednesday that the CIA assessment, briefed to President Donald Trump by Director John Ratcliffe, concluded that the alleged attack on Putin’s Novgorod residence did not take place.

The Russian allegation emerged on Monday, when Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukraine had launched dozens of drones targeting Putin’s home in the Novgorod region.

Lavrov said Moscow would review its negotiating position following the supposed attack.

The Russian defence ministry released video footage on Wednesday showing Major General Alexander Romanenkov describing fragments of a downed Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone carrying a six-kilogram explosive device that, according to Moscow, did not detonate.

The ministry stated that 91 drones had been intercepted, claiming they were headed for Putin’s residence, though details on how their destination was identified remained unclear.

Trump initially expressed concern over the alleged strike, telling reporters he was “very angry" after speaking with Putin, who spoke to him about the incident.

“I don’t like it. It’s not good," the US President said, though he acknowledged that the allegation could be false.

Following the CIA briefing, Trump appeared more sceptical, sharing a New York Post editorial on Truth Social, accusing Russia of blocking peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine has categorically denied any involvement, describing the allegations as a disinformation campaign intended to create friction between Kyiv and Washington after the Mar-a-Lago meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a briefing paper circulated to European Union delegations, Kyiv alleged that Russian officials’ near-identical statements suggested pre-coordination, and residents near the alleged target reported hearing no air defence activity during the night of the supposed attack.

European officials have also cast doubt on Moscow’s claims.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, called the reports “a deliberate distraction" and urged the international community not to accept “unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war."

Former US envoy Kurt Volker said, “There is no evidence that Putin seeks peace and wants Ukraine to be successful. All evidence is to the contrary."

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Russia’s full‑scale invasion on February 24, 2022, continues into its fourth year.

It remains the deadliest conflict in Europe in decades, involving widespread conventional warfare in eastern and southern Ukraine, drone and missile strikes across front lines and deeper into populated areas, and intensive diplomatic engagement aimed at peace talks.

News world US Intel Contradicts Russian Claim, Says Ukraine Didn't Target Putin’s Residence: Reports

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