In a significant development that challenges Moscow's narrative, United States national-security officials have stated that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin or his residence in a recent drone incident. This disclosure, made on Wednesday, directly contradicts assertions from the Kremlin that Kyiv attempted an assassination of the Russian leader.
US Intelligence Contradicts Kremlin's Claim
The official American conclusion is backed by a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessment, which found no evidence that an attempted attack against Putin had taken place. A U.S. official, briefed on the intelligence, confirmed these findings to the press. The CIA itself has declined to comment publicly on the matter.
According to the U.S. assessment, Ukraine was aiming for a military target it had previously struck, located in the same general region as Putin's country residence but not in close proximity to it. This suggests the operation was a routine military strike, not a targeted assassination attempt on the Russian president.
Trump's Response and Putin's Allegations
The disclosure of the U.S. findings came as President Donald Trump appeared to downplay the Russian claim. On Wednesday, he shared a link to a New York Post editorial with the headline: "Putin 'attack' bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace."
This followed a recent phone conversation between the two leaders, during which Putin told Trump that Ukrainian drones had targeted his residence, known as Dolgiye Borody or Long Beards, situated along a lake shore in northwestern Russia. Trump later stated he was "very angry" after Putin leveled the allegation. When questioned about U.S. evidence for the attack, Trump remarked, "You are saying, maybe the attack didn't take place—that is possible too, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did."
Ukrainian Denial and Strategic Implications
Ukrainian officials have consistently denied carrying out any such attack. They argue that Putin is seeking a pretext to sour relations between Washington and Kyiv and to weaken Ukraine's negotiating position in U.S.-brokered talks aimed at ending the ongoing war.
This incident highlights the ongoing information war surrounding the conflict and the critical role of intelligence assessments in verifying battlefield claims. The U.S. public rejection of Russia's narrative is a clear signal of its stance on the matter and could influence the diplomatic dynamics surrounding the peace process.
