Russia accuses Ukraine for drone attack on Kremlin, vows retaliation

Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones in a failed attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin, vowing retaliation for the “terrorist attack.”

Moscow said on Wednesday two drones were used in the attack on Putin’s residence in the Kremlin’s citadel overnight, adding that the drones were disabled by electronic defenses.

A Kremlin statement called the incident a "terrorist attack" by Kiev ahead of Russia’s most important holiday on May 9. 

"We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president's life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned," it said.

It added that fragments of the drones were scattered in the Kremlin grounds, but there were no injuries or damage.

"The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit," the Kremlin added.

Separately, the speaker of Russia's parliament demanded the use of "weapons capable of stopping and destroying the Kiev terrorist regime" in response to the alleged attack on Kremlin.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Vyacheslav Volodin said that Russia should not negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the purported attack.

However, Ukraine denied any involvement in the alleged drone operation.

The targeting came after several days of what appeared to be sabotage attacks in Russia. Ukraine has followed a line of not claiming responsibility for such attacks.

SS