Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack in a failed plot to assassinate President Vladimir Putin, The New York Post reports.
Moscow claimed on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces targeted the Kremlin with two unmanned drones overnight, but noted that they had been taken out by the military.
Video of the alleged incident shows a bright explosion over the massive complex which houses Putin’s residence. Russian officials said there were no casualties and Putin was not there at the time, according to the NY Post.
The Kremlin said the drones were disabled by state security services, adding that debris fell on the ground so it did not cause any damage or casualties.
The state-owned Tass news agency quoted the statement as saying that the Kremlin considered the development to be a deliberate attempt on Putin’s life ahead of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.
The statement said: “Two unmanned aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action.
“We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president’s life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned.
“The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit.”
But a senior Ukraine President’s Office official denied Kyiv had any involvement in the alleged attack.
