Overview
- Russian officials claimed up to 91 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and later re-framed interceptions across Bryansk, Smolensk and Novgorod as a single attack on the Valdai residence.
- Ukraine categorically denied any role, and analysts reported no corroborating satellite imagery, debris, or eyewitness reports, with NASA fire data showing no thermal anomalies near the site.
- Local residents near Valdai said they heard no drones, explosions or air-defense fire, adding to questions over the plausibility of a large-scale strike on the heavily defended compound.
- President Trump said he was very angry after Putin informed him of the alleged attack, then acknowledged he had no intelligence confirmation, drawing criticism from Republicans and a public call for verification by the U.S. ambassador to NATO.
- The Kremlin warned of a harder negotiating line, while Kyiv announced further peace-track meetings on January 3 for national security advisers in Ukraine and on January 6 for leaders, with Trump’s team expected to participate.