Overview
- U.S. media report a non‑public CIA assessment found Ukraine was targeting a military site in the Novgorod region, not President Vladimir Putin’s Valdaï residence, contradicting Russia’s accusation of a 91‑drone attack.
- The Kremlin and Russia’s Defense Ministry continue to present video and flight‑data claims as evidence, while Kyiv calls the materials fabricated and says the narrative is meant to harden Moscow’s negotiating stance.
- Russian-installed authorities in occupied Kherson say a New Year’s drone strike in Khorly killed 27 civilians after initially reporting at least 20 deaths, declaring two days of mourning and publishing images from the site.
- Ukraine denies striking civilians, with officials saying recent operations targeted concentrations of Russian personnel and a drone command post, and a defense source asserting the site in question was closed to civilians.
- Ukraine’s military intelligence revealed it staged the reported death of Denis Kapoustine to expose Russian agents and recover a $500,000 bounty, releasing video of the operation and saying the commander is set to resume duties.