Expert Dismisses Russian Claims of Ukrainian Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence as Implausible
MOSCOW — Claims by Russian authorities that Ukrainian forces launched a drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putin’s residence have been met with skepticism from a leading military drone expert, who described the allegations as “hard to fathom” and tactically implausible. The accusations come amid ongoing conflict and diplomatic tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow asserting that Kyiv attempted to disrupt peace efforts by striking a presidential palace in the Novgorod region.
Cameron Chell, CEO and co-founder of Draganfly, a prominent drone manufacturer supplying the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries including Ukraine, told Fox News Digital that the alleged attack runs counter to Ukraine’s established drone tactics. “What really makes things usually very signature about Ukraine is that they’re always incredibly clever about how they use drones,” Chell said. “They are clever from a cost perspective — let’s call it an efficiency perspective — but also very clever in their tactics.”
He emphasized the tactical improbability of the reported strike, noting that the drones would have needed to be launched from relatively close proximity to reach Putin’s residence on Lake Valdai. “To get over the top of Putin’s residence, for one, the drones would not have been launched from a very long distance away,” Chell explained, casting doubt on Moscow’s narrative.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed late Monday that 91 drones were intercepted en route to the presidential residence. However, Defense Ministry reports appeared inconsistent, initially stating 89 drones were shot down across eight regions, including 18 over Novgorod, then later adding 23 more. After Lavrov’s statement, the ministry alleged that an additional 49 drones intercepted over Bryansk — nearly 300 miles away — were also targeting Valdai. These conflicting figures have raised questions about the credibility of the claims.
Ukraine has categorically denied any involvement in such an attack. The timing of Russia’s announcement also drew scrutiny, coinciding with a recent positive meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, which was seen as a hopeful sign for peace negotiations.
Experts following the conflict have noted that Ukraine’s drone operations typically focus on tactical efficiency and cost-effectiveness, often employing reconnaissance and targeted strikes that align with broader military objectives. The alleged assault on a high-profile and heavily guarded location like Putin’s residence would represent a significant departure from these established methods.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has seen extensive use of drone technology, with the U.S. Department of Defense reporting on the evolving role of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern conflict. Draganfly, the company led by Chell, has been a key supplier of drones to allied forces, underscoring his expertise in the field.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State continues to monitor developments closely, emphasizing the importance of verified intelligence and cautioning against unsubstantiated claims that could escalate tensions further. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has also expressed concern about misinformation and the potential for propaganda to influence public perception amid the conflict.
As the situation remains fluid, analysts suggest that Moscow’s accusations may serve a strategic purpose, aiming to cast Ukraine as an aggressor and complicate ongoing peace discussions. The Central Intelligence Agency and other intelligence agencies worldwide are likely scrutinizing the evidence behind these claims to assess their validity.
For now, the expert consensus among drone specialists and military analysts is that the purported drone attack on Putin’s residence lacks credible support and does not align with Ukraine’s known operational tactics, leaving Moscow’s assertions widely questioned.
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