US Casts Doubt on Russia's Claim of Ukraine Drone Attack on Putin's Residence

A Central Intelligence Agency assessment has reportedly concluded that Russia's claim of a Ukraine drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's residence is unfounded. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US administration has denied Moscow's allegations, with a US official stating that Ukraine was actually targeting a military site in the same region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukraine attempted to attack Putin's residence in Novgorod with dozens of drones, but Ukrainian and European officials have rejected these claims as a disinformation campaign. The situation threatens to disrupt US-led peace negotiations. President Donald Trump initially expressed sympathy for Russia but later grew skeptical after being briefed on the situation by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of trying to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Washington. The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called Russia's claims a 'deliberate distraction' and warned against accepting unfounded allegations from an aggressor that has targeted Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians. Russia released footage of a downed drone, but its authenticity has not been verified.