At a Glance
- CIA assessment finds Ukraine did not target Vladimir Putin‘s country residence.
- Trump was briefed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on the issue.
- Zelenskyy denounces Russian claims as a fabrication.
- Why it matters: Clarifies Russia’s allegations are unsubstantiated, impacting diplomatic tensions.
Amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a recent CIA assessment cleared Ukraine of any attempt to strike Russian President Vladimir Putin’s country residence, a claim that had been amplified by the Kremlin.
CIA Assessment and Trump Briefing
The CIA concluded that Ukraine had not tried to kill Vladimir Putin at his country residence, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Donald Trump on the issue earlier Wednesday.
After the briefing, Donald Trump posted a link to a New York Post editorial that dismissed the claim.
- Ukraine targeted a military target in the same region, not the residence.
- The assessment was first reported by Wall Street Journal.
- The CIA declined to comment.
Russia’s Allegations and Ukrainian Response
Vladimir Putin claimed in a phone conversation that Ukrainian drones had attacked his residence on the shore of Lake Valdai in the northern Russian region of Novgorod.
Zelenskyy rejected the claim and accused Russia of trying to sabotage peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy
> “Russia is at it again, using dangerous statements to undermine all achievements of our shared diplomatic efforts with President Trump’s team.”
Zelenskyy
> “This alleged ‘residence strike’ story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war. Typical Russian lies.”
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Monday | Vladimir Putin’s claim of a drone attack on his residence |
| Tuesday | Donald Trump and Zelenskyy meet at Mar-a-Lago, say they are “very close” to a deal |
| Wednesday | CIA briefing to President Donald Trump and publication of Wall Street Journal report |
Key Takeaways
- CIA finds no evidence of a Ukrainian attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence.
- Donald Trump was briefed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Wednesday.
- Zelenskyy denounced the Russian claim as a fabrication.
The assessment underscores the complexity of information flows in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while diplomatic talks between Donald Trump and Zelenskyy continue to progress.
