Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to murder Vladimir Putin by employing drones to attack the Kremlin, which is located in the heart of Moscow
Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to assassinate the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin by using drones to target his residence in the Kremlin in Central Moscow.
Russia also said it has downed both the drones and Putin was not there in the complex at the time. He was working in Novo Ogaryovo outside Moscow. The drones were disabled using electronic radar assets.
Ukraine said it has nothing to do with the alleged incident and that Russia’s claims are a false flag, as Russia is preparing a large-scale terrorist attack.
A Statement from the Russian Presidency read, “Last night, the Kyiv regime attempted to carry out a strike on the Kremlin residence of the President of the Russian Federation with unmanned aerial vehicles.”
It further read, “Russia reserves the right to take retaliatory measures wherever and whenever is deemed necessary.”
Fragments of the drones had fallen on the Kremlin site but no-one had been hurt and there was no damage to buildings. The incident comes shortly before Russia’s Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2023, in which foreign dignitaries are expected to attend. Several Russian cities had already announced they would scale back this year’s Victory Day celebrations. Russian authorities have cited security reasons and attacks from pro-Ukrainian forces for the changes.
Mikhailo Podolyak, the Advisor to the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the incident could help Russia justify attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine and could also indicate guerrilla activities of local resistance forces inside Russia. Zelenskyy is currently in Finland and plans to travel to Germany for more military support from its Western allies.
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense of the United States (U.S.) and CIA Officer – Mick Mulroy said if reports of the incident were accurate it was unlikely to be an assassination attempt as Ukraine tracks President Putin’s movements closely and he was not in Moscow at the time.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “This may have been to show the Russian people that they can be hit anywhere and that the war they started in Ukraine may eventually come home to Russia, even the capital.”
He also said, “Russia may be fabricating this to use as a pretext to target President Zelenskyy. Something they have tried to in the past.”
Meanwhile, Russia has announced a ban on unauthorised drone flights over Moscow. Drone flights would require a special Government permit.
