Russia Presents U.S. with Alleged Evidence of Ukrainian Drone Plot Targeting Putin’s Residence

In a direct diplomatic exchange, a top Russian military official provided a U.S. attaché on January 1, 2026, with what Moscow described as components from a Ukrainian drone, asserting that embedded data conclusively showed an attempt to strike a presidential residence used by Vladimir Putin.

Russia had accused Ukraine earlier in the week of launching 91 long-range drones on Monday targeting the facility in the northern Novgorod region. The Kremlin stated that the incident would prompt a reassessment of its stance in negotiations with the United States aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

Ukraine has firmly rejected the allegations, labeling them as Russian disinformation intended to strain relations between Kyiv and Washington, particularly following a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Western nations have also questioned the Russian narrative.

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Video footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on Telegram depicted Admiral Igor Kostyukov, chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces, transferring the item—identified as a drone’s navigation controller—to the American attaché.

According to Kostyukov, analysis by Russian specialists of the device’s memory “confirms without question” that the intended target was the complex of buildings at the president’s residence in the Novgorod region. He expressed hope that sharing this evidence would resolve any doubts and establish the facts.

The ministry had previously announced plans to deliver these findings to the United States.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that U.S. national security officials concluded Ukraine had not aimed at Putin or his residence in any drone operation, though Reuters was unable to independently confirm this.

President Trump initially reacted with concern on Monday, noting that Putin had personally informed him of the alleged attack and appeared “very angry.” By Wednesday, however, Trump shared a New York Post editorial on social media criticizing Russia for obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine.

The exchange comes as both sides navigate delicate discussions on ending the war, with Russia maintaining its claims despite international skepticism.