Trump dismisses claim of drone attack on Putin’s residence amid fragile peace push

President Donald Trump on Sunday said US national security officials have found no evidence that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on a residence linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, rejecting Kremlin claims even as Moscow insists it has proof and released video evidence to support its allegation.

“US national security officials have determined that Ukraine did not do this,” Trump told reporters, adding, “ There is no evidence that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence .” He later said flatly, “ I don’t believe that strike happened .”

Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching long-range drones at Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region. To back the claim, Russia released video footage showing what it said were drone fragments and navigation controllers. In the video, Igor Kostyukov , chief of Russia’s main military intelligence directorate , is seen presenting the material and saying, “ We have found the debris of unmanned aerial vehicles involved in this attack .” He adds that “the decoding of the content of the memory of the navigation controllers of these drones confirmed that the target of the attack was the complex of buildings of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation in the Novgorod region.” Kostyukov is also shown handing over the controller and related documents to representatives of the United States, saying the step should “help remove all questions and contribute to the establishment of the truth.”

Ukraine strongly denied the allegation . President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed it outright, saying, “ This is a lie .” He added that “Ukraine has no reason to target Putin personally,” and accused Moscow of spreading “disinformation aimed at undermining peace efforts.”

Trump initially appeared concerned after Putin raised the issue during a phone call, telling reporters at the time that he was “ very angry ” about the reported attack. However, after receiving briefings from US intelligence agencies, Trump changed his position. “ I was upset when I first heard it ,” he said, “but after the intelligence briefings, it doesn’t look that way.” He added, “Based on what I’ve been told, Ukraine did not target Putin’s residence.”

Despite Russia’s release of video and materials, US and European officials say the evidence has not been independently verified . No satellite imagery, geolocated footage, verified debris analysis, or third-party confirmation has been made public. Reports from local residents near the alleged site have further raised doubts, with some saying they did not hear drones, explosions, or air defence fire, something analysts say would be difficult to conceal if a large interception had occurred.

The dispute has unfolded alongside renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. Just days before the allegation surfaced, Zelenskyy travelled to Florida for talks with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort on a US-backed 20-point peace plan. Trump said the discussions showed momentum, telling reporters, “We’ve made a lot of progress,” and adding, “ We’re getting very close, maybe closer than ever before .”

“These are very serious talks,” Trump said, while cautioning that “there are still tough issues.” Stressing his broader goal, he added, “I want this war to end. It’s much harder than people think.”

While negotiations continue, Trump has acknowledged that major disagreements remain, particularly over territory and security guarantees, and has expressed frustration with both Kyiv and Moscow as efforts to reach a settlement move forward.