ISW finds no evidence of drone attack on Putin's residence
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin (GettyImages)
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) found no evidence to support claims by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Ukrainian drones had attacked the residence of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
The report notes that confirmed Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory are usually accompanied by open-source evidence, including geolocated videos, Russian air defense activity, explosions, fires, plumes of smoke near targets, as well as reports from local authorities and Russian media.
However, in this case, ISW analysts found no video footage or reports from local or regional sources that would confirm Lavrov's claim of a Ukrainian attack near Putin's residence in Valdai.
In addition, ISW pointed out inconsistencies in statements by the Russian side. Lavrov claimed that 89 Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the Novgorod region, while Russia’s Defense Ministry reported only 47 drones during the night of December 28–29. According to the analysts, such discrepancies further undermine the credibility of the Russian foreign minister’s statements.
ISW recalled that Ukrainian forces have previously struck military targets in the Novgorod region, and those attacks were accompanied by compelling open-source evidence. This time, however, the Kremlin provided no proof to back up its claims.
Russia’s independent outlet SOTA also reported that residents of Valdai did not hear air defense activity on the night when, according to the Kremlin’s version, Russian forces were repelling a massive Ukrainian drone attack.
Attack on Putin’s residence
Moscow accused Ukraine of striking Vladimir Putin's residence and threatened a response. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that targets and timing for a retaliatory strike had already been identified in response to the alleged attack on the state residence.
At the same time, the Russian side has released no convincing evidence to support its claims.
Today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that, following this fabricated attack, Russia intends to strengthen its negotiating position regarding Ukraine. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the story about the attack is fake and is being used by Russia to derail peace initiatives involving Kyiv and Washington.
For full details on Russia’s claims of the alleged attack on the residence, as well as contradictions within the Russian authorities, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
