Russia alleges drone attack by Ukraine, smoke seen over Kremlin

Moscow: After Russia's presidential administration alleged that Ukraine used drones to attack President Vladimir Putin's residence in the walled complex, a video circulated on social media in which a plume of smoke was seen over the Kremlin.

The Kremlin did not provide any evidence to support its claims that Ukraine tried to assassinate Putin in a drone attack but said that it "reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit."

"Russian military and special services had disabled two attacking drones, sending debris crashing onto the grounds of the seat of government. We view these actions as a planned terrorist attack and an assassination attempt targeting the President, carried out ahead of Victory Day. Russia reserves the right to take countermeasures wherever and whenever it deems appropriate," said a statement on the Kremlin's website.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time of the incident and he was working out of a presidential residence near Moscow.

Kyiv has denied any involvement in the incident and suggested that the alleged attack could be used by Russia as a pretext for a new attack inside Ukraine.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also denied any Ukrainian involvement and said that "guerilla activities of local resistance forces" could be to blame. He added that it is a sign that Russia is preparing "a large-scale terrorist attack" of its own.

Zelenskyy’s press officer, Serhiy Nikiforov, said Kyiv has no information on "the so-called night attacks on the Kremlin'' and stressed that its focus is on Ukrainian territory. "Ukraine directs all available forces and means to liberate its own territories, not to attack foreign ones."

Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, tweeted about the matter and said: "According to Russian media, two unidentified drones were targeted at the Kremlin last night. Starting from today, drone launches are forbidden in Moscow, with the exception of drones authorized by government - Moscow mayor Sobyanin."

"As a result of their fall and scattering of fragments, there were no victims and material damage. President of Russia was not injured as a result of Ukrainian attack" - Putin's office informed," he added.

Some netizens said Ukraine could not have possibly carried out the attack and since the video was posted by Russia, it is likely an attempt to spread false news. Some users also questioned what Moscow's air defense was doing.