Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out an overnight drone attack on the Kremlin Wednesday, which allegedly attempted but failed to kill Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The allegation made by Putin’s office on May 3 that two unmanned drones targeted the Kremlin and were shot down by special services sounds like something out of Mission: Impossible.
But the claims carry serious consequences, as the Kremlin has qualified the alleged assassination attempt as “a planned terrorist attack … carried out ahead of Victory Day and the May 9 Parade, where foreign guests are expected to be present,” per the statement.
Victory Day is a nationwide holiday that celebrates the Soviet Union’s defeat of the Nazi regime in Germany on May 9, 1945. Some regions bordering Ukraine had already opted to cancel the traditional military parade in light of the ongoing conflict prior to the assassination claims.
The celebrations stroke nationalist ideals that have been touted by Putin since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a speech given last year, Putin referred to the military campaign as making it “so that there is no place in the world for butchers, murderers and Nazis,” per the Guardian.
“Victory will be ours, like in 1945,” Putin added.
Today, Moscow waits in anticipation as Kyiv is on the verge of launching a major counteroffensive.
Made possible through military aid packages from its Western allies, Kyiv aims to push through the Russian forces as far as the administrative border of Crimea, as The Dallas Express reported.
From this improved position, the hope is to negotiate peace and put an end to the conflict that has been raging for nearly two years.
With this in mind, allegations of a failed assassination attempt on Putin orchestrated by Kyiv stir the proverbial pot.
“Russia reserves the right to take countermeasures wherever and whenever it deems appropriate,” the Kremlin announced in its recent statement.
One high-ranking Russian official even went as far as to suggest that the United States was behind the assassination attempt.
“It’s very important that Washington understands that we know this and understands how dangerous such direct involvement in the conflict is,” said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, per The Moscow Times.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was quick to deny any part in the alleged drone strike on the Kremlin.
“We do not attack Putin or Moscow. We are fighting on our territory, defending our villages and cities. We don’t have enough weapons even for that,” Zelenskyy countered during the press conference in Finland, per The Kyiv Independent.
Similarly, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cast doubt over the Kremlin’s claims.
“I would take anything coming out of the Kremlin with a very large shaker of salt,” Blinken said in response, per Barron’s.
Videos of the alleged drone strike have emerged on social media, such as those posted on the Telegram channel Baza showing an object flying towards the Kremlin and exploding. The channel is affiliated with Russian law enforcement.
It is uncertain how the alleged assassination attempt will affect the already tense relationship between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Russia and the U.S.
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