Russian President Vladimir Putin was not harmed during a drone attack that allegedly targeted the Kremlin on Tuesday night. According to a statement from the Kremlin, remains of the downed drones fell on the territory of the Kremlin complex, but there were no casualties or material damage reported. The incident was said to be an “attempt to assassinate” Putin, but the Kremlin spokesperson said that Putin was not in the targeted building at the time.
Putin was working at his Novo Ogaryovo residence near Moscow during the alleged attack, and he will still participate in the scheduled World War II Victory Day parade on Red Square next week. A statement from the Kremlin said that Putin was working from a bunker at his residence during the drone attack.
Some videos on social media showed a plume of smoke over the Kremlin after the alleged attack, but their authenticity could not be verified. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has imposed an immediate ban on unauthorised drone flights over the Russian capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied Russia’s claims that Kyiv had attempted to kill Putin, saying “We didn’t attack Putin. We leave it to the tribunal.”