Ukraine Denies Alleged Drone Attack on Putin's Residence Amid Conflicting Reports
The Russian Defense Ministry released nighttime footage showing the wreckage of a Ukrainian-made Chaklun-V drone, which was claimed to have been shot down before hitting President Vladimir Putin’s residence near Lake Valdai. The drone reportedly carried a six-kilogram explosive that failed to detonate.
However, The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials and a CIA assessment, reported that Ukraine did not target Putin or his residences, instead aiming at a military site in the region. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the Russian footage as laughable and denied any attack on Putin’s residence.
Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, analyzed the video and said it shows only a wrecked drone that appears ill-suited for an attack on such a highly secured facility.
Russia provided various drone-intercept claims: an initial count of 89 drones across eight regions, including 18 over Novgorod, and later refined figures. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed 91 drones were en route to Putin’s residence, with 49 intercepted over Bryansk, which is far from Valdai.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the alleged attack a complete fabrication, suggesting it was designed to justify further Russian strikes. This claim came after Moscow described a positive meeting between former President Donald Trump and President Zelensky in Florida.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow would toughen its diplomatic stance in response to Kyiv’s denial. Fox News sought comment from the White House on the matter.
