Russia accuses Ukraine of orchestrating a drone strike to kill Putin

2023-05-03 21:20:34

WORLD

The Russian government banned the use of drones in the city of Moscow

Published on 3 mayo, 2023

Putin was not in the Kremlin when the alleged Ukraine attack took place. (Screenshot: DW – YouTube)

Russian authorities accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the Kremlin with two drones to assassinate President Vladimir Putin. The Russian government dismissed this alleged attack as a “terrorist act”, in addition to stating that its security forces responded efficiently.

Although the drones and their fragments fell in the Kremlin compound, it was ensured that they did not cause casualties or material damage. A video of the episode was broadcast by Ukrainian media and showed a drone exploding over said presidential residence.

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was not in the building at the time, as he was working from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence. The alleged attack did not cause changes to the president’s agenda.

The Russian government specified that it will reserve the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it deems appropriate. For its part, Ukraine denied any involvement in the alleged attack.

“Ukraine has nothing to do with drone strikes against the Kremlin, this would be an unnecessary act because it does not solve any military problem,” said Mikhailo Podoliak, presidential adviser.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a ban on unauthorized drone flights over the Russian capital. In a statement, this authority stated that the devices can only be used if special permission is obtained from government authorities.

Over the past five days, there have been a series of incidents leading up to popular World War II victory celebrations, including train sabotage, oil depot fires in and around Crimea, and power lines blown up near St. Petersburg. .

The Russian authorities reported that on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday there was a large fire in a fuel depot near the bridge that communicates with Crimea, annexed by Russia as part of the conflict with Ukraine. A source in the emergency services was quoted by the news agency TASS saying the fire had been caused by a drone.

Several cities close to the Ukrainian border, but also some further afield, have canceled their traditional parades, although Moscow has promised that the Red Square event will go ahead as normal. The Kremlin spokesman told news agencies that the Moscow parade will go ahead as planned, “with no changes to the plans.”