Trump casts doubt on Ukraine's attack on Putin's Valdai residence
US President Donald Trump expressed outright skepticism regarding Russian accusations that Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin's Valdai resort. Trump's remarks reflect a growing international uncertainty surrounding Moscow's narrative, which it is using as a pretext for a potential escalation.
Trump: "I don't believe the strike happened."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated unequivocally, "I don't believe that strike happened," citing the lack of conclusive evidence and adding that "nobody knows yet" the veracity of the Russian claims, which Kyiv has vehemently denied. This statement casts doubt on the justifications offered by the Kremlin at this sensitive stage of the conflict.
Details of the Russian accusations and alleged evidence
Moscow accused Kyiv of carrying out a massive drone attack on the night of December 28-29, using 91 drones to target Putin's heavily guarded Valdai residence, strategically located between Moscow and St. Petersburg. In an attempt to bolster its narrative against Western skepticism, the Russian Defense Ministry released videos showing drone wreckage in a snowy, wooded area, along with testimony from a local resident and a soldier standing near the wreckage, asserting that the drone was carrying a six-kilogram explosive payload.
Ukrainian denial and fears of a "fake operation"
In response, the Ukrainian government dismissed the accusations as a fabricated "lie," warning that Russia might use the alleged incident as a pretext for violent retaliatory attacks or to undermine any emerging diplomatic efforts. Observers note that this pattern of accusations often precedes Russian military escalation, a tactic known in military parlance as "false flag operations," used to justify increased aggression.
The strategic and political importance of the event
This event is particularly significant given the Valdai site, one of Putin's most important presidential residences and the venue for the Valdai International Discussion Club. Targeting a location of such symbolic importance and security—if true—would represent a dangerous shift in the rules of engagement. Furthermore, the Kremlin has warned that this attack will harden its stance in any future negotiations to end the war, complicating international peace efforts and hindering diplomatic initiatives that might be proposed by Trump or European leaders.
