In a significant diplomatic move, Russian authorities have handed over what they describe as concrete evidence to the United States, alleging that Ukraine attempted a drone strike on President Vladimir Putin's official residence. This action comes days after Moscow first accused Kyiv of targeting the Kremlin leader's complex in the Novgorod region.
The High-Level Handover in Moscow
On Thursday, the Russian defence ministry released a video on Telegram showcasing a meeting between a top Russian intelligence official and a US military representative. The footage features Igor Kostyukov, chief of the main intelligence directorate of the Russian armed forces' general staff, addressing a member of the US military attache's office in Moscow.
Kostyukov stated the purpose of the meeting was to present materials connected to the alleged May 3 drone incident. "I have invited you for an important matter. I would like to inform you that we have found the debris of unmanned aerial vehicles involved in this attack," he declared at the outset.
Russia's Claims and the Presented 'Evidence'
During the encounter, Kostyukov displayed a device he claimed was recovered from one of the downed drones. He asserted that navigation systems from several of the intercepted drones remained intact and functional. Russian specialists allegedly decoded the memory of these navigation controllers.
"The decoding of the content of the memory of the navigation controllers of these drones, carried out by specialists of the Russian special services, unequivocally and accurately confirmed that the target of the attack was the complex of buildings of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation in the Novgorod region," Kostyukov said, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Concluding the presentation, he physically handed the device to the American representative. "We want to hand over this controller and the description of this controller made by our specialists to you. We believe that this step will help to remove all questions and contribute to the establishment of the truth," Kostyukov added.
Escalating Tensions and International Reactions
The incident has further inflamed tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. Ukraine has consistently denied any involvement, stating that Russia has provided no credible proof for its allegations. Earlier, Moscow released video of a damaged drone in a snowy, wooded area, but Kyiv dismissed it as insufficient evidence.
The situation drew a sharp initial reaction from former US President Donald Trump. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago club, Trump said, "I don't like it. It's not good. I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it." However, by Wednesday, Trump appeared more sceptical, sharing a New York Post editorial on social media that accused Russia of obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine.
On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning, indicating that Moscow's response to the attack has already been decided, including its timing and targets. This statement signals a potential for further military escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The direct handover of alleged evidence to US officials marks a rare point of contact amidst the severe strain in US-Russia relations. It remains to be seen how Washington will assess the materials presented by Russian intelligence and what implications this will have for the broader geopolitical standoff surrounding the war in Ukraine.
