Kiev’s assassination attempt on Putin targeted Kremlin, Moscow claims – live

Russian authorities accused Ukraine of trying to attack the Kremlin with two drones, according to state news agencies.

The Kremlin called the alleged nighttime attack a “terrorist act” and a failed attempt to kill Vladimir Putin, according to a RIA report.

A Tass report included quotes from officials saying Russian military and security forces had disabled the drones before they could strike.

It said there was no damage or casualties, and did not provide further details.

The Kremlin added that President Vladimir Putin was safe and continued to work with his schedule unchanged.

There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities.

Ukraine has denied involvement in an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin that Moscow says was deemed an attempt on the life of Vladimir Putin.

A spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said kyiv had officially denied the allegation of Moscow’s involvement.

Writing on Telegram, Interior Ministry adviser Anton Geraschenko blamed “Russian partisans” for the attack. “There are enough people in Russia who want to send Putin to hell,” he said.

Russia will respond to what it claims was a Ukrainian plot to assassinate Vladimir Putin “when and where it sees fit,” state news agencies reported.

Tass said the Russian presidential press service issued a statement about what it claimed was a drone attack on the Kremlin, saying: “Last night, the [Kyiv] The regime tried to attack the residence of the Russian president in the Kremlin using unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Kremlin said it was “a pre-planned act of terrorism and an attempt on the life of the Russian president, which took place just before Victory Day and the May 9 Parade attended by foreign guests.”

“Russia reserves the right to take retaliatory measures when and where it deems appropriate,” the statement said, according to Tass.

Images posted on social media appear to show a drone flying over the Kremlin before exploding.

Russia claimed that kyiv launched a failed assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin with a drone that was shot down over the Kremlin.

The images have been shared by Ukrainian government adviser Anton Geraschenko, as well as Russian military bloggers and state news agencies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces would soon launch a counteroffensive against Russian forces.

Zelensky made the comments at a news conference in Finland after weeks of speculation about Ukraine’s plans to fight the invasion that for months has focused on grueling battles in the east with little progress on either side.

Russia has been hit with several drone strikes in recent days as Ukraine prepares to push back to take back parts of its occupied territory. Two freight trains in the Russian border region of Bryasnk have been derailed by explosive devices in recent days, according to local officials.

The strikes on Russian-controlled land followed a wave of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities last week that killed at least 25 people.

A massive fire broke out at an oil depot behind Russian lines, local officials said on Wednesday, as Kremlin forces used 26 Iranian-made drones in another nightly attack on Ukraine as the war stretched into its 15th month. .

The oil depot burst into flames in the southern Russian Krasnodar region, located east of the Russian-controlled Crimean peninsula, according to Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev.

Sweden’s parliament has been hit by a cyber attack that has disrupted access to its website, it said on Wednesday.

The website was partially down on Tuesday and appeared slow on Wednesday.

“The analysis shows that this is a denial of service attack,” a parliament spokesman said. “At this time, the website may be slow and it may be difficult to view our webcasts.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and other Nordic leaders will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Finnish capital on Wednesday.

Sweden applied for NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and authorities warned of an increase in cyberattacks against Swedish interests.

A 24-hour curfew will be introduced in Kherson from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin announced.

“During these 58 hours, it is forbidden to move or stay on the streets of the city. Also, the city will be closed to enter and exit,” Prokudin said.

The move is necessary, he said in a video on social media, “so law enforcement can do their job and not put you in danger,” but he did not elaborate.

Pope Francis greeted the foreign envoy of the Russian Orthodox Church, just days after revealing that a secret “mission” is underway to try to end the war in Ukraine.

Metropolitan Anthony attended Francis’ weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square before greeting the Pope at the end.

He presented Francis with an icon, which the Pope blessed.

Anthony was later seen being carried offstage by one of Francis’s assistants.

Francis devoted his remarks at the audience to a summary of his weekend visit to Hungary, during which he made repeated calls to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Berlin on May 13, German newspaper Tagesspiegel reported, citing police.

According to the report, the Ukrainian leader will be received by German Chancellor Scholz with military honors on May 14 before flying to Aachen later that day to receive the 2023 Charlemagne Prize.

Zelensky was scheduled to meet Nordic leaders in Finland on Wednesday.