The Kremlin was attacked by drones overnight in an attempt on President Vladimir Putin’s life. This what the Russian presidential administration reported on Wednesday.
According to the TASS news agency, Moscow residents reported hearing two explosions behind Kremlin walls shortly after 2 a.m. local time, after which the lights went out. Footage shared by residents in a local Telegram channel captured the incident, as smoke was seen filling the sky above the Kremlin.
Authorities say it was a brazen attack by Ukraine using two drones, both of which they say have been destroyed. No injuries were reported.
The Kremlin, describing the incident as a “planned terrorist attack” and “assassination attempt on the president of Russia,” is now threatening to take “retaliatory measures.”
It is unclear how a Ukrainian drone could have made it through Russia’s air defenses and into the heart of the capital.
The incident comes just days before Russia’s main Victory Day parade on Red Square, an event that authorities reportedly fear could be disrupted by drone attacks. Independent Russian media reported last week that utility workers have been ordered to patrol the streets of Moscow in search of any bombs or drones ahead of the event. This incident only deepens those fears.
Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on the purported attack but have previously denied carrying out attacks on Russian territory.
A major news source, The New York Times, reports that the alleged incident is as of the present moment, unverified.
Footage of an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin in Moscow, #Russia, has emerged. The May 9 podiums are seen outside the building. It would be wise to cancel this event in times of #war. Also this could be a pretext to bomb Kyiv city center in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Aj87PFGvuf
— Pierre Crom (@PierreCrom) May 3, 2023
