Russia drops supposed drone evidence after accusing Ukraine of attacking Putin’s residence

Moscow has released video footage it claims shows physical evidence of a large-scale drone attack allegedly targeting President Vladimir Putin’s official state residence. According to UNILAD, the footage was made public amid growing international skepticism over Russia’s account of the incident.

Russian officials say the alleged attack took place at Putin’s residence in the northwestern Novgorod region and involved an unusually large number of unmanned aerial vehicles. The video release appears aimed at reinforcing Moscow’s claims after Ukraine and several Western governments questioned whether the incident occurred at all.

Authorities in Russia have framed the incident as a serious escalation, describing it as a direct threat to the Russian president. While officials insist the attack caused no damage and no injuries, the lack of independently verified evidence has continued to fuel doubt outside Russia.

This explanation has left many observers unconvinced

Russia claims Ukraine launched a coordinated wave of 91 long-range drones from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions in what officials described as a thoroughly planned operation. Major-General Alexander Romanenkov said all drones were intercepted before reaching their target, emphasizing that Russian air defenses prevented any casualties or structural damage. Moscow has described the alleged incident as a “personal attack” against Putin.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested the claims would have diplomatic consequences, stating that Russia’s negotiating position could be revised in response. He stopped short of ruling out talks entirely, saying Moscow was not planning to abandon negotiations with the United States despite what he described as a major provocation. The episode comes as political divisions in Washington continue to surface, including criticism from within the Republican Party over perceived sympathy toward Moscow.

Ukraine has flatly denied any involvement, arguing that Russia has failed to present credible proof. Ukrainian officials have suggested the incident may have been fabricated to delay or derail diplomatic efforts related to the war. Some officials have questioned the plausibility of such a large drone operation leaving no independently verifiable trace. These competing claims arrive amid ongoing debate over the state of peace negotiations, with mixed signals emerging from Kyiv and Washington about how close any agreement might actually be.

The video released by Moscow shows a Russian serviceman standing next to fragments of what authorities identified as a downed Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone. Russian officials claimed the device was carrying a six-kilogram explosive charge that did not detonate. However, the precise location, timing, and authenticity of the footage have not been independently confirmed, and it remains unclear where Putin was at the time of the alleged attack.

The claims drew international attention after U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that he had learned about the alleged incident directly from Putin earlier that day. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump criticized the idea of attacking a leader’s home, calling it inappropriate during what he described as a delicate period. He said Putin informed him of the alleged attack that morning and expressed anger over the situation.