Putin Residence Attack: CIA Assessment

The CIA has reportedly concluded that Ukraine has neither targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin nor attacked any of his residences. This was reported by the “Wall Street Journal” as well as the broadcasters PBS and CNN, citing unnamed US government representatives. The US foreign intelligence service thus contradicts serious allegations made by Moscow on Monday. Initially, President Donald Trump also criticized Ukraine for the alleged attack after a conversation with Putin.

Meanwhile, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new year with very different expectations for the future. Fighting at the front and mutual drone attacks continued on New Year’s Eve.

Kyiv has vehemently denied attacking any of Putin’s residences. Ukraine saw Moscow’s claim as a Russian pretext for continuing the war despite ongoing negotiations for a peace solution and for wanting to attack government buildings in Kiev again.

Russia presented possible evidence of the attack for the first time on Wednesday, including the remains of a suspected Ukrainian drone. The Ukrainian foreign secret service spoke of fake cards and dummies. Many experts also doubt that the attack described by Russia took place.

The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials, reported that the controversial Ukrainian drone strike targeted a military target in the same region as Putin’s residence – although not near the property. This is also proven by a CIA analysis, it said.

PBS and CNN reported that Trump was briefed on the findings by CIA chief John Ratcliffe on Wednesday. On the same day (local time), the US President surprisingly shared an article that was very critical of Russia on his Truth Social platform. In the commentary, the tabloid “New York Post” deals with “Putin’s ‘attack’ bluster” and describes the Kremlin chief as the real hurdle on the road to peace.

Among other things, it says that any attack on Putin is “more than justified.” “We don’t need his crocodile tears, instead the pressure should be increased.” It is argued that no further concessions should be made to Russia. A tougher approach is necessary.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke on Monday of an attempted “terrorist attack”. He spoke of 91 Ukrainian drones with longer ranges that Russia’s air defense had shot down. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, later said that the Kremlin chief had informed Trump by telephone about an attempted Ukrainian drone attack against his presidential residence in the Novgorod region. The Kremlin hopes that the USA will understand that Russia is now reconsidering its position in the negotiations.

According to Russian media, the claimed target is Putin’s Valdai residence, which is located in the Novgorod region between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Putin is said to often spend his weekends there with his family. But the Kremlin guards his private life like a state secret. Various residences are available for the Russian President in many parts of the largest country in the world.

Putin appeared confident of victory in his New Year’s speech. “I congratulate our fighters and commanders on the beginning of the New Year! We believe in them and in our victory,” Putin said, according to a text of the recorded video address published by state media.

Putin once again described the Russian soldiers whom Ukraine accuses of war crimes as “heroes.” There was no mention in the embassy of negotiations with the USA to end the war or of the hopes of many Russians for peace.

With the new year, Russia increased VAT to finance the war. As of today, the recently decided increase in tax from 20 to 22 percent takes effect.

Meanwhile, Zelensky highlighted his belief in peace in his New Year’s message. The current year was marked “by the loyalty and steadfastness, the principles and the daily work of the Ukrainians,” he said on Facebook and the X platform.

We now move forward together “with what holds us together: experience and memory, our native language, hope and faith.” He explained: “We believe in peace, fight for it and work for it.”

Both Russia and Ukraine carried out drone attacks on their neighboring country on New Year’s Eve. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that a combat drone was shot down shortly before midnight while approaching the capital. The Defense Ministry in Moscow said dozens of Ukrainian drones had been shot down by evening. Shortly before the turn of the year, an air alarm was triggered in Kyiv due to incoming swarms of drones. According to media reports, energy facilities were hit again in southern Odessa.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said he discussed the next steps towards an end to the war in Ukraine with Günter Sautter, the foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), and other European representatives. Witkoff wrote on