US President Donald Trump expressed doubts about Russia’s claims that Ukraine attacked Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region. He told reporters aboard Air Force One during his return to Washington from Florida.
“I don’t believe this strike took place. Something happened nearby, but it had nothing to do with it,” he said.
Trump’s statement was a reversal from his initial reaction. Earlier, on December 29, after a phone call with Putin, the American leader expressed anger over the alleged attack by Ukrainian drones on the Russian president’s residence. At the time, Trump noted that Putin had personally informed him of the incident and called it “not good.”
Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to strike a residence in the Valdai area (Novgorod region) with 91 drones on the night of December 29. Kyiv categorically rejected these accusations, calling them fabrications intended to disrupt peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that this was “typical Russian lies” aimed at justifying further attacks.
According to US media reports, US intelligence has concluded that Ukraine did not target Putin’s residence. The drones may have attacked another military facility in the same region.