Russia claims to have foiled a terrorist assassination attempt against President Vladimir Putin after two drones were shot down over the Kremlin.
The Kremlin said the unmanned aerial vehicles were “put out of action” on Tuesday night. The downed drones fell within the Kremlin grounds and no one was injured, according to a statement from the Russian authorities.
The Kremlin said that the incident was a “planned terrorist act” and an attempt on Putin’s life. Russia’s President was at his residence near Moscow on Wednesday and is scheduled to take part in the WWII Victory Day parade on Red Square next week as planned. Following the drone incident, Moscow’s mayor banned unauthorised drone flights over the Russian capital, with such flights prohibited unless a special permit has been obtained from government authorities.
The assassination attempt comes as Ukraine prepares to launch a counteroffensive to repel Russian forces from the territory they hold in the east and south.
The city of Kherson, which was taken by Russian troops in November 2022 before being re-taken by Ukrainian forces, has imposed a curfew lasting from Friday evening until Monday morning, with the aim of preventing residents from moving on the city’s streets.
