Global Courant 2023-05-03 16:46:02
Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via Reuters
The Russian presidential administration said on Wednesday that the Kremlin was attacked by drones overnight in an attempt on the life of President Vladimir Putin.
Moscow residents had reported hearing two explosions behind the Kremlin walls shortly after 2 a.m. local time, after which the lights went out. Footage shared by residents on a local Telegram channel captured the incident as smoke filled the skies above the Kremlin.
Now authorities say it was a brutal attack by Ukraine using two drones, both of which they say have been destroyed.
There were no injuries, the BAG news Agency.
The Kremlin, which describes the incident as a “planned terrorist attack” and “assassination against the president of Russia”, is now threatening “retaliatory action”.
It is unclear how a Ukrainian drone could have gotten through Russian air defenses and into the heart of the capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Wednesday banned drone flights in the city without a special permit from the government.
The incident comes just days before Russia’s main Victory Day parade in Red Square, an event that authorities reportedly fear could be disrupted by drone strikes. Independent Russian media reported last week that utilities have been ordered to patrol the streets of Moscow for bombs or drones ahead of the event.
Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the alleged attack, but have previously denied carrying out any attacks on Russian territory.
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