The Kremlin unveils nighttime footage of a downed “Chaklun-V” drone near the President’s Valdai residence; Ukraine calls it a “fabricated ruse” to derail peace talks.
January 1, 2025: As the war in Ukraine approaches its four-year milestone, a major diplomatic storm has erupted over an alleged assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defence released video footage of a damaged drone, which it claims was part of a massive Ukrainian strike aimed at Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region.
The incident has immediately threatened the fragile, U.S.-led peace process, with both nations trading accusations of “terrorism” and “diplomatic sabotage” on the first morning of the New Year.
The Footage: Fragments in the Snow
The video, filmed in a dark, snow-covered forest area, shows a Russian security officer standing beside the debris of a fixed-wing UAV.
- The Weapon: Russia identifies the craft as a Chaklun-V, a Ukrainian-made long-range drone.
- The Payload: Officials claim the drone was carrying a six-kilogram explosive device that failed to detonate upon being intercepted.
- The Scale: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that a total of 91 drones were deployed in the “staged attack” on the night of December 28–29, all of which were reportedly neutralized by Russian air defenses.
“A Complete Fabrication”: Kyiv Strikes Back
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his administration have vehemently denied any involvement, characterizing the claim as a “theatrical performance” for an international audience.
- Pretext for Escalation: Kyiv argues that Moscow is manufacturing a “victim narrative” to justify impending strikes on Ukrainian government buildings or to withdraw from peace negotiations.
- Local Inconsistencies: Ukrainian intelligence noted that residents near the Valdai residence reported no sounds of explosions or air defense activity on the night of the alleged strike.
- The Trump Factor: Zelenskyy suggested the lie was specifically timed to manipulate U.S. President Donald Trump, following their “productive” meeting in Florida earlier that week.
Global Intelligence & Reaction
While the Kremlin insists the attack was real, international observers remain highly skeptical.
| Entity | Official Stance |
| US (CIA) | Concluded Ukraine did not target Putin; drones were likely aimed at a distant military objective. |
| Donald Trump | Initially “very angry” after a call with Putin, but later shared a post questioning if the strike was “bluster” by Russia. |
| European Union | Top diplomat Kaja Kallas called the claims “unfounded” and a “deliberate distraction.” |
| India | PM Narendra Modi expressed “deep concern” over the reports and urged both sides to remain focused on diplomacy. |
Impact on Peace Negotiations
The fallout has cast a shadow over the “95% complete” peace deal touted by the White House. Sergey Lavrov warned that Russia would now “toughen” its negotiating stance and has already identified retaliatory targets across Ukraine. Meanwhile, a major Russian drone strike on Odesa late Wednesday, which injured six people, is being viewed by many as the first wave of that promised retaliation.