CIA assessment undercuts Russia claim of Ukraine plot to kill Vladimir Putin
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US intelligence agencies CIA on Thursday have concluded that Ukraine did not attempt to target Russian President Vladimir Putin, contradicted Moscow’s claim of an assassination attempt, according to the US officials quoted in media reports.
US intelligence agencies have found no evidence to support Russia’s claim that Ukraine tried to assassinate President Vladimir Putin in a recent drone operation, media reported.
Central Intelligence Agency assessment concluded which determined that there was no attempt to target Putin or any of his residences.
US official familiar with the intelligence review said the findings contradict Moscow’s allegation.
The CIA has declined to comment publicly.
According to the assessment, US intelligence believes Ukraine was planning a strike on a military target located in the same wider region as Putin’s country residence, but not near the site itself.
Russia has claimed that Ukrainian drones were aimed at Putin’s Novgorod-area residence, known as Dolgiye Borody, or Long Beards, and has described the incident as an attempted assassination.
US intelligence agencies track developments inside Russia using a combination of satellite imagery, radar monitoring and intercepted communications, media reported.
President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the Russian claim after being briefed on the intelligence review by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Trump shared a New York Post editorial on Truth Social that questioned whether the alleged attack had taken place, reposted a headline suggested Russia was obstructing peace efforts.
He told reporters he was “very angry” after Putin said during a phone call that Ukrainian drones had targeted his residence.
When asked whether US intelligence had confirmed the incident, Trump said it was possible the attack may not have occurred, added that Putin had told him it did.
Ukraine has acknowledged carrying out certain sabotage and targeted operations inside Russian territory but has firmly denied any attempt to target Putin or his residence.
Ukrainian officials have accused the Russian President of using the allegation to drive a wedge between Washington and Kyiv and to weaken Ukraine’s position in US-led peace negotiations.
Russia’s Defence Ministry has maintained its claim, stated it intercepted 91 Ukrainian drones allegedly heading towards Putin’s Novgorod residence.
Russian officials also made public a video clip they claimed showed an explosives-equipped Ukrainian drone lying in the snow.
The allegation emerged shortly after Trump held a three-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which Trump described as “excellent.”
During the meeting, Trump raised the possibility of travelling to Kyiv to help advance peace efforts.
Moscow has warned that the alleged drone incident could lead it to take a tougher stance in peace talks. Russia has also carried out additional drone strikes on Ukraine’s port region of Odessa.
Trump’s Truth Social post marked one of his strongest recent public criticisms of the Kremlin, despite previously said Russia was interested in ending the war.
The claim has prompted reactions from several countries across Asia and the Middle East.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned” by reports of the incident, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it “a heinous act.” The United Arab Emirates also issued a statement expressing concern.
US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said he had spoken with national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany to discuss possible next steps toward peace.
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov also took part in the discussions.
Witkoff said the talks focused on possible security guarantees and measures to prevent escalation, with the aim of ending the war and ensuring it does not resume.
