Overview
- Moscow alleges Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones at the Valdai residence on Dec. 28–29, an accusation Kyiv rejects as a lie meant to justify reprisals and undercut diplomacy.
- More than 48 hours after the claim, Russia’s defense ministry released a clip of a Chaklun‑V drone and a trajectories map, but specialists note the material cannot be geolocated or tied to Valdai.
- Open-source analysts and the Institute for the Study of War report no images of explosions, smoke, or air-defense activity near the purported target during the stated timeframe.
- President Donald Trump told reporters he does not believe the strike occurred, echoing skepticism voiced by European officials who say they have seen no solid corroboration.
- The Kremlin warns of a tougher negotiating posture linked to the allegation, as Russian attacks overnight killed two people in the Kyiv area ahead of allied talks planned in Paris.