Background and Context
On December 29, 2025, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the presidential residence of Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region, located in northern Russia. The alleged attack involved 91 long-range attack drones, according to Moscow.
Russia’s Claims and Actions
On Thursday, Russia stated that it had extracted and decrypted data from a Ukrainian drone shot down earlier in the week. The data, as per Russia’s interpretation, reportedly proves that Ukraine intended to target a Russian presidential residence. Russia claimed it would share the relevant information with the United States.
In a Telegram statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defense declared: “The decrypted routing data revealed that the final target of the Ukrainian drone attack on December 29, 2025, was a facility within the Russian Presidential Residence in the Novgorod region.”
Russia also mentioned that it would reassess its negotiating stance in ongoing talks with the United States to end the war in Ukraine.
U.S. and Western Response
Both Ukraine and Western countries have dismissed Russia’s account of the alleged attack.
According to a Wednesday report from The Wall Street Journal, U.S. national security officials found no evidence that Ukraine targeted either Putin or his residences in the drone attack. Reuters could not immediately verify this report.
Reactions from Key Figures
Initially, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for Russia’s claim, stating that Putin had informed him about the supposed incident and was “very angry” about it. However, by Wednesday, Trump appeared more skeptical and shared a New York Post editorial on social media accusing Russia of obstructing peace in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Denial and Counter-accusations
Ukraine has denied carrying out such an attack and described Russia’s accusation as part of a Russian disinformation campaign aiming to create a rift between Kyiv and Washington following Trump’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the alleged attack about? Russia claims that Ukraine attempted to attack the presidential residence of Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region using 91 long-range attack drones.
- What evidence has Russia provided? Russia claims to have extracted and decrypted data from a Ukrainian drone shot down earlier in the week, which allegedly proves the intent to target a Russian presidential residence.
- How have Ukraine and Western countries responded? Both Ukraine and Western nations have dismissed Russia’s account of the alleged attack.
- What has been the reaction from key figures? U.S. President Donald Trump initially expressed sympathy for Russia’s claim but later showed skepticism, sharing a New York Post editorial accusing Russia of obstructing peace in Ukraine.
- What is Ukraine’s stance? Ukraine denies the attack and claims Russia’s accusation is part of a disinformation campaign to create tension between Kyiv and Washington.
