UPDATE: The CIA has just confirmed that Ukraine was NOT targeting a residence associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a recent drone attack, contradicting assertions made by the Kremlin. This revelation comes amidst escalating tensions and urgent discussions to broker peace in Ukraine.
According to U.S. officials, the CIA briefed President Donald Trump on this crucial assessment on Wednesday, October 16, 2023, after Putin alleged that Ukraine launched an attack near his home. During a phone call with Trump, Putin expressed concerns about the supposed attack, which Trump relayed to reporters, stating he was “very angry” about the incident. Trump initially seemed to lend credibility to Putin’s claims, saying, “I don’t like it. It’s not good,” while also acknowledging the possibility that the allegation could be false.
Sources reveal that CIA Director John Ratcliffe later informed Trump that the agency does not believe there was any attack targeting Putin’s residence. Following this briefing, Trump appeared to shift his stance, sharing a link to a New York Post editorial questioning Putin’s narrative, which argued that any attack on the Russian leader could be justified given his ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s allegations surfaced after Putin met with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a hopeful discussion about peace efforts at Mar-a-Lago. However, European officials, including the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, have labeled the claims as a “deliberate distraction,” suggesting they might be a tactic by Putin to derail peace negotiations without directly incurring Trump’s wrath.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 91 drones were launched from northern Ukraine towards Putin’s residence in Valdai, located in the Novgorod region of northwestern Russia. The Ministry reported that over half of these drones were intercepted hundreds of kilometers away, though they did not provide evidence that these drones were indeed aimed at Valdai. The interceptions reportedly occurred between 3 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. local time on Monday.
As the situation develops, it is critical to monitor the ongoing diplomatic efforts and the implications of these conflicting narratives. The next steps will likely involve further discussions among world leaders and renewed scrutiny of Russia’s claims regarding Ukraine’s military actions.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds, and share this article with your network to keep everyone informed about the latest developments.
