Kremlin Attacked In What Russian Propaganda Calls Putin Assassination Attempt

Two drone strikes occurred within the Kremlin walls overnight. Russian propaganda has since called the attacks an assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin. In a statement, Putin's office said he was not injured and blamed the attacks on Ukraine.

On Twitter, users expressed surprise that the symbol of Russia's authoritarian government lacks air defenses. However, the Russians claim to have shot down unmanned aerial vehicles using electronic warfare systems.

The Kremlin said it reserves the right to retaliate “whenever and wherever is deemed necessary.”

BBC News reports that Ukraine is denying involvement in the attack. A senior aide to President Zelensky in Kyiv said attacking the Kremlin would “change nothing on the battlefield” and “provoke Russia to take more radical actions” in its unprovoked and unjustified war.

In Finland, Zelensky himself challenged Moscow's line, telling reporters “We fight on our territory. We are defending our villages and cities”:

Meanwhile a Ukrainian presidential adviser told the BBC the reported incident indicated Russia could be “preparing a large-scale terrorist provocation” in Ukraine.

The two countries frequently trade accusations and denials since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

One video on social media showed smoke rising over the fortified complex, and in another a small explosion was visible above the Kremlin Senate building, while two men appeared to clamber up the dome.

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Mr Putin has very high personal protection and the BBC's Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg says it is astonishing to think that drones could have got anywhere near the Kremlin.

Fragments of both drones fell on the fortified complex with little to no damage. The incident transpired less than a week before Russia's May 9 victory parade at the Kremlin, marking the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

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