Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a nighttime drone strike on the Kremlin to kill President Vladimir Putin, which failed.
According to the news of the foreign news agency “Reuters”, the senior presidential official of Ukraine said that Kiev has nothing to do with the alleged incident.
It is the most dramatic accusation Russia has made against Ukraine since it invaded its neighbor more than 14 months ago.
The Kremlin said two drones were used in the alleged attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Kremlin fortress, but were disabled by electronic defense equipment.
He said Russia reserves the right to retaliate.
The statement from Russia indicated that Moscow could use the alleged incident to justify further escalation of its war with Ukraine.
The Kremlin said in a statement that two unmanned aerial vehicles were targeted by the Kremlin, and timely action by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems resulted in the foiling of the attack devices.
It said that we view these acts as planned terrorism and an attempt to assassinate the President on the occasion of the Victory Day May 9 parade, which was also attended by foreign guests. It is expected.
It said Russia reserves the right to take countermeasures when and where it deems appropriate.
Russian law enforcement-affiliated Telegram channel Baza posted a video of a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building, the object seen in the video is Red Square, the site of the Victory Day parade. The location is exploding before it gets there.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the video.
A statement from the presidential administration said that fragments of the drone were scattered on the territory of the Kremlin complex, but there were no casualties or material damage.
The RIA news agency said that Vladimir Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time, working at his Novosibirsk residence outside Moscow.
Another video circulating on Russian social media shows clouds of smoke rising over the Kremlin after the alleged attack.
Victory Day, a public holiday commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, is an opportunity for the Russian president to rally Russians after his “special military operation” in Ukraine.
On this occasion, a huge military parade is held at Red Square, with seating already arranged for the participants of the event.
The parade, for which the Kremlin announced tighter security last week, will still be held, state news agency Tass said.
The mayor of Moscow said today that an immediate ban on unauthorized drone flights has been imposed in the city.
Russia has accused Ukraine of several cross-border attacks since the start of the war, including in December on an Airbus carrying nuclear-armed strategic bombers inside Russian territory. The drone crashed in Kolomna, about 110 km from the capital.
Ukraine generally denies responsibility for attacks on Russia or its annexed Crimea, while officials in Kiev often make suspicious or sarcastic remarks about such attacks.
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2024-08-20 13:02:42
