Air-raid sirens sounded in Kiev and parts of central and eastern Ukraine, shortly after Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin overnight with drones , in a failed assassination attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A senior adviser to the Ukrainian presidency rejected the accusation, saying it suggested Moscow was preparing a major “terrorist provocation”.
Earlier, Russia accused Ukraine of "attacking the Kremlin with drones" during the night in a "failed assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin".
The Kremlin announced that two drones were used in the attack on Putin's residence in the Kremlin compound, which Moscow said were neutralized by electronic defense systems.
The Kremlin statement said that Russia reserved all rights of response. – comment implying that Moscow may use the incident, which it claims happened, to further escalate the war in Ukraine.
"Two unmanned aerial vehicles targeted the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the army and special services using a military radar system, the devices were neutralized,'' the Kremlin statement said.
Video circulating on Russian social media appears to show column of smoke above the Kremlin. After that, the Russian presidency announced a Ukrainian drone strike against President Vladimir Putin, who maintains a residence in the Kremlin complex.
The RIA agency reported that Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time of the "drone attack" and that the Russian president is currently working in Novo Ogaryovo, on the outskirts of Moscow.
Footage of drone attack on Kremlin which Russia is saying was an assassination attempt on President Putin.
This war ain’t ending. Escalation time
pic.twitter.com/jLYuS9FS96
— Monica Verma (@TrulyMonica) May 3, 2023
Ukraine "has nothing to do" with the drone attack on the Kremlin, an attack that Moscow attributed to Kiev, the Ukrainian presidency stressed.
"Of course, Ukraine has nothing to do with the drone attacks on the Kremlin," said Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message to journalists.
Kremlin: Denounces Putin assassination attempt-Drone attack (VIDEO)
Ukraine: We have none in connection with the drone attack on the Kremlin
