Russia says Ukraine tried to strike Kremlin with drones while Kiev denies involvement

Russian national flag waves at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

Ukraine attempted to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday night by using two drones to attack his Kremlin residence. Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said Ukraine was not involved in the alleged attack.

MOSCOW/KIEV, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine attempted to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday night by using two drones to attack his Kremlin residence, Russia's presidential press service said Wednesday.

The Kremlin said the military and special services used radar warfare to put the unmanned aerial vehicles out of action.

Despite the attempted attack, no casualties or material damage were reported from the downing of the drones and the resulting scattering of fragments, the Kremlin said.

"We regard the action as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the Russian president, which was carried out on the eve of the May 9 Victory Day parade, where foreign guests also plan to be present," the Kremlin said.

Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time of the attack and was working at the Novo-Ogaryovo presidential residence in a Moscow suburb on Wednesday, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak told the government-run Ukrinform news agency that Ukraine was not involved in the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.

"Ukraine did not attack the Kremlin or any other facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation," Podolyak said, noting that Ukrainian military forces are targeting solely military facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

He explained that attacks on facilities in Russia, including the Kremlin, do not serve any military purpose or contribute to Ukraine's preparations for any counteroffensive operation.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Wednesday announced a ban on launching drones in the Russian capital. The Kremlin said Russia reserves the right to respond appropriately.