ZELENSKY DENİES UKRAİNE ATTACKED PUTİN OR MOSCOW
During a visit to Finland, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine rejected allegations that his country was behind an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, which Russia claims was an assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is not involved in attacking Moscow or targeting Putin, and is instead focused on defending its own territory from aggression. "We do not attack Putin or Moscow. Our fight is on our own territory, where we are defending our villages and cities," he stated.
During a visit to Finland, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine rejected allegations that his country was behind an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, which Russia claims was an assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is not involved in attacking Moscow or targeting Putin, and is instead focused on defending its own territory from aggression. "We do not attack Putin or Moscow. Our fight is on our own territory, where we are defending our villages and cities," he stated.
According to a statement from the Russian president's office, two drones were reportedly shot down by Russian defenses during the night.
Russia issued a warning that it would take retaliatory action at a time and place of its choosing.
Online videos that have not been verified appear to show smoke rising above the Kremlin, a major government complex in the heart of Moscow, on Wednesday morning. Another video shows a small explosion above the complex's Senate building, with two individuals seen climbing the dome.
In a statement, the Russian presidency accused Ukraine of launching an attack on President Putin's residence within the Kremlin, characterizing it as "a premeditated act of terrorism and an assassination attempt against the president"
Authorities stated that two drones, which appeared to be targeting the complex, were neutralized using electronic countermeasures. They also clarified that President Putin was not present at the complex during the purported attack.
However, Ukraine has dismissed the Russian allegations as a pretext for launching large-scale attacks on its territory. Meanwhile, the United States has stated that it is treating the Russian claims with caution.
- The reported drone attack on the Kremlin is seen as a significant embarrassment for Moscow.
- At present, there is limited information available about drone attacks in Russia.
President Putin is widely regarded as one of the most heavily protected leaders in the world. Tight security measures, such as thorough screenings and convoys of vehicles, are typically in place at events attended by Putin, as observed by BBC journalists at past events in Moscow. Additionally, airspace is often closed and traffic is halted during such occasions.
If the Kremlin's allegations of a drone attack on President Putin's residence are indeed accurate, it will undoubtedly raise concerns about the effectiveness of his security detail. Given Putin's reputation for having one of the most robust security apparatuses in the world, the reported incident suggests a potential vulnerability that will require further investigation.
The reported drone attack on the Kremlin is likely to prompt an evaluation of the efficacy of Russian air defenses. In recent months, anti-aircraft systems have been observed on the rooftops of buildings in Moscow, particularly in the proximity of key government facilities. Nonetheless, the apparent breach of such measures raises questions about their effectiveness.
The anti-aircraft systems have been installed in response to the Kremlin's concerns that Ukraine, or groups sympathetic to Ukraine, could launch aerial attacks against high-value targets. The heightened security measures reflect the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the potential for such attacks to cause significant damage.
Regardless of the veracity of the alleged drone attack on Wednesday, the focus now turns to how Russia will react. Some officials have already advocated for a firm response, while Russian military leaders have frequently warned of severe retaliation in the event of any attacks on Russian soil.
However, there is uncertainty surrounding Russia's ability to launch a substantial counter-attack, and it remains unclear whether this incident will result in a significant escalation of the conflict on the ground in Ukraine. The limitations of Russia's military capabilities and the potential risks of an intensified conflict may temper its response, although the situation remains fluid and unpredictable.
According to a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president who spoke to the BBC, the alleged drone attack suggests that Russia may be planning a major terrorist provocation within Ukraine. The incident has heightened concerns about the potential for an escalation in violence, particularly in light of Russia's annexation of Crimea and ongoing support for separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president, has dismissed the notion that Ukraine would have any motive to launch an attack on Moscow. Instead, he suggests that such an incident could serve as a pretext for Russia to justify its own aggression against civilian targets in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in numerous allegations of human rights violations and civilian casualties, and any escalation of the conflict is likely to further exacerbate these concerns.
According to Mykhailo Podolyak, any drones that may be flying over Russian territory are likely part of "guerrilla activities" carried out by local resistance forces. This highlights the complex nature of the conflict and the presence of non-state actors on both sides. It also raises questions about the ability of both Russia and Ukraine to maintain control over their respective territories and prevent unauthorized actions by independent groups.
"My assessment is that there are some developments taking place in the Russian Federation, but it is highly unlikely that drones operated by Ukraine were involved in any incident near the Kremlin," said Mykhailo Podolyak. His comments suggest that the Ukrainian government is distancing itself from any alleged drone attack on Moscow, and is keen to avoid any further escalation of the conflict. However, the situation remains unclear and it is likely that more information will emerge in the coming days.
DİSTANCE FROM THE UKRAİNE BORDER TO KREMLİN
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has cast doubt on Russia's claim that Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Putin. Speaking to reporters, Blinken stated that the US could not verify the allegations, and advised caution when assessing any statements made by the Russian presidency. "We take anything they say with a very large grain of salt," he said. The Secretary of State's comments highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the difficulty of determining the truth amid a barrage of competing claims and accusations.
Mick Mulroy, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defence and CIA officer, told the BBC that if reports of the incident were accurate, it was "unlikely" to be an assassination attempt as President Putin's movements are closely tracked by Ukraine and he was not in Moscow at the time.
"If the reports of the incident are accurate, it is possible that the drone attack was carried out to demonstrate to the Russian people that the war Russia started in Ukraine could eventually have repercussions within their own borders, even in the capital," Mulroy said.
Mick Mulroy, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defense and CIA officer, told the BBC that if the reports of the incident were false, "Russia may be using this as a pretext to target President Zelensky - something they have attempted in the past".
Russia also highlighted that the alleged drone incident had occurred just before the 9 May Victory Day parade in Moscow, a significant event commemorating the end of World War II and often attended by foreign dignitaries.
Russian officials confirmed that the Victory Day parade in Moscow, scheduled for 9 May, will proceed as planned despite the alleged drone incident at the Kremlin.
On Wednesday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a new measure banning unauthorized drone flights over the city following the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several Russian cities had already announced they would scale back this year's Victory Day celebrations.
Russian authorities have cited security reasons and "terrorist threats" for the changes, amid concerns of attacks from various sources including pro-Ukrainian forces. There have also been reports of explosions and fires in different parts of Russia in recent weeks.
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