US President Donald Trump expressed deep skepticism regarding the Russian account accusing Ukraine of launching a large-scale drone attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's remarks further deepened the mystery surrounding the incident in northwestern Russia, which Moscow has deemed an assassination attempt and a dangerous escalation, while Kyiv has denied any involvement.
Trump: "I don't believe the strike happened."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated unequivocally, "I don't believe that strike happened," citing the lack of conclusive evidence and adding that "nobody knows yet" what actually occurred. This statement comes at a sensitive time, as the US administration seeks to navigate the escalating tensions between Moscow and Kyiv with caution, aiming to avoid being drawn into an uncontrolled escalation.
Details of the Russian accusations and alleged evidence
Moscow directly accused Kyiv of targeting Putin's residence in the Valdai resort, located between Moscow and St. Petersburg, which is under heavy security. According to the Russian account, 91 drones were used in the attack on the night of December 28-29. To counter Western skepticism, the Russian Ministry of Defense released videos showing drone wreckage in a wooded area, along with an alleged testimony from a local resident and a map showing the drones' flight paths.
Ukrainian denial and the context of the conflict
For its part, Kyiv described the Russian accusations as a "lie" intended to create a pretext for launching new, violent attacks on Ukrainian cities or to undermine any emerging diplomatic efforts. Ukrainian officials emphasized that such operations do not serve Kyiv's current military strategy.
Historical background and geopolitical influences
This incident is not the first of its kind in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war; Moscow previously accused Kyiv in May 2023 of launching a drone attack on the Kremlin itself, an accusation Ukraine also denied at the time. Military experts point out that the recurrence of such incidents, whether real or staged (false flag operations), is often used to justify a subsequent military escalation or to harden negotiating positions.
Internationally, this event is of particular importance given its potential impact on the course of future negotiations. The Kremlin has explicitly warned that this attack will "harden its stance" in any talks aimed at ending the war. Observers believe that Trump's skepticism of the Russian account may be a political message intended to deny Moscow legitimacy for escalating its military operations, especially in light of his campaign promises to end the conflict.
