(NewsNation) — The Russian government is doubling down on allegations that Ukraine aimed drones this week at a residence of President Vladimir Putin in the Novgorod region, even though U.S. intelligence has dismissed the claims.
The Kremlin on Tuesday accused Kyiv of sending 91 long-range drones toward the Putin home in northern Russia. All reportedly were shot down with no injuries or damage, Russian officials said.
President Trump initially expressed anger about the alleged attack after Putin called him personally to tell him about it. But CIA Director John Ratcliffe later told the commander-in-chief there’s no evidence showing Ukraine had targeted Putin, a source with knowledge of the matter told NewsNation.
The Wall Street Journal reported Kyiv may have been aiming at another target in the same region.
On Thursday, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said data “extracted” from a Ukrainian drone shows “a facility of the Russian President’s residence was its target.”
“The data will be passed to the US via established channels,” the MFA said, without offering additional information.
The alleged drone strike directed at Putin comes at a delicate time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks U.S. support for a 20-point peace plan he hopes will end the Russian invasion that began in February 2022.
Ukraine denies targeting the Russian leader. Zelensky has suggested Russia has manufactured the narrative to derail peace negotiations.
Putin is believed to have several residences across Russia, and it wasn’t clear where he was at the time the drones were destroyed in Novgorod.