The Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) announced that Russia is preparing a major provocation, possibly with human casualties, on January 7 or a day earlier, to disrupt the peace negotiations mediated by the USA.

After an alleged attack on Vladimir Putin's residence, the Kremlin would disseminate false pretexts to justify an escalation of the conflict. It is estimated that a terrorist attack could take place on the eve of Christmas according to the old calendar, and the chosen location could be a religious building or a symbolic object. Russia could use attack drones manufactured in the West to falsify evidence of Ukraine's involvement. In this context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of attacks on Putin's residence, but Ukraine denied these accusations.