On 4/1, President Donald Trump stated "something happened" near the residence of his counterpart Vladimir Putin in Valdai, Novgorod province. However, US officials do not believe Ukraine targeted the residence with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), contrary to Russian accusations.

"I do not believe the attack occurred," President Trump told reporters on Air Force One. "After checking, we do not believe it happened."

Russia has not commented on the information.

President Trump speaks to reporters on Air Force One on 4/1. *Photo: AP*.

Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching 91 UAVs at President Putin's residence in Novgorod province, all of which were shot down. Mr. Lavrov criticized Ukraine for conducting the attack amidst ongoing peace negotiations to end the conflict.

The accusation emerged one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Florida to discuss a new peace proposal between Kiev and Moscow with Mr. Trump. President Zelensky immediately rejected Russia's claims, while European officials suggested Moscow was attempting to obstruct peace talks.

On 2/1, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced it provided the navigation device from a downed UAV to the US military attache. This was intended to prove Ukraine carried out the attack on President Putin's residence.

President Trump initially appeared to credit Russia's statement. On 29/12/2025, he revealed that President Putin had raised the accusation during a phone call earlier that day. "I am very angry about that," he said then.

Wreckage of a UAV, which Russia claims Ukraine deployed to attack President Putin's residence, in a video released on 31/12. *Video: Russian Ministry of Defense*.

However, the US President reportedly later shifted his stance. On 31/12/2025, Mr. Trump reshared a New York Post article on his personal page, whose author expressed skepticism about Russia's claims.

US media, citing anonymous officials, reported that John Ratcliffe, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), briefed President Trump that same day. The CIA determined Ukraine did not target President Putin's residence during a recent attack in northern Russia.

It remains unclear whether the US has analyzed the UAV navigation device handed over by Russia. President Trump also did not specify the basis for US officials' conclusion that Ukraine did not attack President Putin's residence.

Pham Giang (AP, CNN, RIA Novosti)