Putin's Helicopter Fends Off Ukrainian Drone Attack, As Russia Pounds Kyiv

Air Force Major-General Yury Dashkin, the commander of a Russian air defense division claimed that Ukrainian drones attacked President Vladimir Putin's helicopter during his visit to the Kursk region on May 20. The chopper was "at the epicenter" of the response to the drone attack, he said, and Russian air defenses successfully intercepted the drones.

The attack allegedly took place while Putin was visiting the Kursk region, his first visit since Russian forces regained control of the area from Ukrainian troops in March. The Mi-17 was caught in an “unprecedented” Ukrainian drone assault while the president was aboard, prompting air defenses to engage, destroying 46 drones during the incident. No casualties or damage to the helicopter were reported.

The Kremlin did not publicize the trip until after Putin had left the region, suggesting the drone attack may indicate Ukrainian intelligence had advance knowledge of his movements.

Putin’s visit included inspecting the Kursk-II nuclear power plant and meeting with local officials and volunteers. He also met with the interim governor and volunteers, and inspected the construction of the Kursk-II nuclear power plant.

The drone attack claims were reported by Russian state media and cited in various news outlets. However Ukraine has not officially commented on the story.

The Kursk region has been a significant flashpoint since Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion in August 2024, which was eventually repelled by Russian forces with the help of North Korean troops.

Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine in recent days, with significant air strikes targeting Kyiv and resulting in civilian casualties. On Sunday, Russia launched nearly 370 missiles and drones, with at least 12 people killed in the attack  The Ukrainian Air Force reported that about two-thirds of the missiles and nearly all the drones were intercepted.

"I'm not happy with what Putin's doing... he's sending rockets into cities and killing people — and I don't like it AT ALL," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday, in New Jersey, before heading to Washington D.C. "We're in the middle of talking and he's shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don't like it at all."

Later commenting again on the attacks on Kyiv, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.

"I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia! Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.

"This is a War that would never have started if I were President. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not “Trump’s,” I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred."

Earlier attacks include a Russian strike on Kyiv on April 24, which killed at least 12 people and injured more than 70. The attack was described as the deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since last July. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was visiting South Africa at the time and cut his trip short to return home.