The operation targeting the residence of President Vladimir Putin was a “planned terrorist act,” his office said
Ukraine launched two drone attacks overnight intended to strike the Kremlin residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, his office has reported.
The aircraft were downed using electronic warfare measures and caused no casualties or damage, it said in a statement. Moscow considers the incident an act of terrorism.
The incident occurred late on Tuesday night, and both unmanned aircraft fell on the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow, according to the president’s office. His schedule was not affected.
Russia reserves the right to retaliate in a manner, place and time of its choosing, the statement noted.
“We consider this a preplanned terrorist action and an attempt against the Russian president,” it added. The incident happened “ahead of Victory Day and the parade on May 9, when foreign guests plan to be present.”
Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that the president was absent from the Kremlin at the time when the drones were downed. He is currently at the presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, located in Moscow Region to the west of the capital.
There is footage circulating on social media, which purports to show the aftermath, with a plume of smoke rising against the night cityscape from the territory of the historic seat of Russian power.
