Devendra Kumar
Russia has claimed to have foiled an attack by Ukrainian drones on the Kremlin, describing it as an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin and vowing retaliation for what it called a “terrorist” act. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement, suggesting that Moscow may be using the incident to escalate the war.
The alleged attack occurred overnight, with Russian authorities stating that they stopped the drones before they could strike, and that nobody was hurt. Debris from the drones allegedly fell in the grounds of the Moscow landmark, Senate Palace, without causing damage. The Kremlin presented no evidence to support its claims, and an investigation is underway.
The timing of the incident has raised suspicions, with the Kremlin only reporting the attack hours after it allegedly occurred, and videos of the event surfacing late in the day. A video on a local Moscow news channel showed smoke rising over the Kremlin buildings, while another video appearing to be taken from Red Square showed a drone exploding in a flash of fire above the Senate Palace.
The Ukrainian government denied any role in the attack, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Ukraine does not attack Putin or Moscow, but rather fights on its own territory to defend its villages and cities. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak also denied involvement, suggesting that the claims would be used as a pretext for Russia to launch massive strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.
US officials have expressed skepticism about the report, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that he cannot validate the claims without further evidence. Professor Phillips O’Brien of the University of St Andrews noted that the alleged attack may have been intended to embarrass Russia or to make Ukraine look reckless, but it is too soon to prove or disprove the exact nature of the incident.
The incident has already prompted calls from pro-Kremlin figures in Russia for the assassination of senior Ukrainian leadership. The Kremlin has announced that the Victory Day parade, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, will take place as scheduled.