Following the alleged attack on Vladimir Putin's residence in Novgorod, of which not even the CIA found any trace, Russia is reportedly preparing a new "large-scale provocation" for January 7 to place the blame on Ukraine and derail US-mediated negotiations.
This is what Kiev's foreign intelligence service expects, according to which Moscow's plan includes an operation with casualties, at a religious or other symbolic site in Russia or in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces on Orthodox Christmas Day, and "the Kremlin's dissemination of new, invented and specious information to prepare the Russian and foreign public for a further escalation" of the war.
To provide evidence of Ukraine's alleged involvement, the 007s add, Russian plans include using debris from Western-made attack drones, launched at the location designated by the battle line. This is yet another "false flag," Ukrainian intelligence reports, "in true Russian intelligence style." In an attempt to convince Donald Trump of Ukrainian responsibility, Moscow has meanwhile claimed to have handed over to the United States data obtained from the navigation equipment of one of the Ukrainian drones that allegedly targeted Putin's home at the end of the year.
"The decoding of the drone's navigation controllers' memory unequivocally confirms that the target of the attack was the presidential residence complex," said Igor Kostyukov, head of the General Staff Directorate. "We believe this step resolves all doubts and facilitates the determination of the truth," he insisted.
Russia also reported that the death toll from the attack on the village of Khorly, in the part of the Kherson region under its control, has risen to 27, noting that two children were among the victims. However, for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, it is Moscow that does not want "this war to end," continuing "to kill, despite all the efforts of the world, and especially the United States, in the diplomatic process."
This, the Kiev leader denounced, is demonstrated by the latest "ferocious Russian attack" on the city of Kharkiv, where "two missiles" hit a residential area. Local authorities report at least 25 injuries. Another Russian strike on civilian targets was reported in the Zaporizhia region, while the Russian Defense Ministry claims to have captured nine settlements in a week. In this context, Zelensky announced the appointment of the new head of the presidential office, following the resignation at the end of November of Andriy Yermak, implicated in a corruption scandal. He chose the head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, who in turn will be replaced by Oleh Ivashchenko, current head of the foreign intelligence service. "Right now, Ukraine needs more attention to security issues, the development of the Ukrainian Defense and Security Forces, and the diplomatic path of negotiations," Zelensky explained. "And Kyrylo has the experience and sufficient strength to produce results."
(Unioneonline)