The Kremlin called it a “planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President of the Russian Federation”. (Picture: RT News)
The Kremlin further said Putin was unharmed and no property damage was reported to buildings.
Smoke has been seen over the Kremlin after drones allegedly launched by Ukraine were shot down last night.
The Kremlin, a fortified complex in central Moscow, serves as the official residence of the Russian President.
Russia claimed to have shot down two drones launched by Ukraine and accused kyiv of attempting to assassinate President Vladimir Putin.
#SHOW | Russia today alleged Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Putin, saying it was a ‘terrorist attack’ while claiming it shot down drones over the residence of Putin: RT news (Video: RT news from Russia) pic.twitter.com/tiXGUoLREi
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2023
The Kremlin called it a “planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President of the Russian Federation”.
The Kremlin said: “Two unmanned vehicles were targeting the Kremlin…the devices were taken out of service.”
According to Russian media, two unidentified drones targeted the Kremlin last night. The President of Russia was not injured as a result of the Ukrainian attack” – Putin’s Office… pic.twitter.com/w7Bv1jQzYk
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 3, 2023
He reportedly said two drones, used in the alleged attack, were disabled by Russian defences.
The Kremlin further said Putin was unharmed and no property damage was reported to buildings.
Reacting to Russia’s claims for the first time, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko said: “I can’t say anything about the Kremlin’s claims. It may be Russian propaganda.”
There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities on Moscow’s statement, the most dramatic accusation it has leveled against Kyiv since its neighbor invaded more than 14 months ago.
Russia asserts reserved right to retaliation
Russia said it reserved the right to retaliate – a comment that suggested Moscow could use the alleged incident to justify further escalation in its war with Ukraine.
“Two unmanned aerial vehicles were targeting the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were taken out of service,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
“We consider these actions a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President, perpetrated on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 parade, during which the presence of foreign guests is also planned… The party Russian reserves the right to retaliate where and when it sees fit,” he said.
Baza, a Telegram channel linked to Russian law enforcement, posted a video showing a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building overlooking Red Square and exploding in a burst of intense light just ahead of the reach. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video.
The statement of the presidential administration indicates that fragments of drones were scattered on the territory of the Kremlin complex, but there were no casualties or material damage.
The RIA news agency said Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time and was working at his Novo Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on Wednesday.
(With contributions from AFP, Reuters)
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