Russia Claims Ukraine Tried To Assassinate Putin In Drone Attack

Russian presidential administration claimed in a statement Wednesday, that Ukraine attacked Kremlin overnight with two drones. This comes as the war between the two neighbors enter its 15th month.

Videos circulating on Twitter allegedly of the strike, show at least one drone flying towards the Kremlin, followed by an explosion, and smoke rising from a Kremlin structure. Russian forces reportedly disabled the drones with a radar equipment? One unconfirmed video shows a small explosion above the site's Senate building, while two men appear to climb up the dome.

The Russian presidency said it was "a planned terrorist act and an assassination attempt on the president," and threatened to retaliate against Ukraine when and where necessary. Officials said two drones targeting the complex had been disabled using electronic radar assets, adding that President Vladimir Putin was not in the complex at the time of the attack.

Ukraine on its part, denied attacking the Kremlin or targeting the Russian president. "We don't attack Putin or Moscow," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, while speaking on a visit to Finland. "We fight on on our territory. We are defending our villages and cities."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he could not validate Russia's accusation, and that he would take anything the Russian presidency said with a "very large shaker of salt."

Some hardliners in the Kremlin have already called for swift retaliatory action. Generals had several times, threatened harsh response to any strikes on Russian territory by Ukraine or its western allies.

Anti-aircraft systems have been deployed in recent months, on Moscow rooftops in the vicinity of key buildings, including the defense ministry. The Kremlin is concerned that Ukraine or its sympathizers, may attempt to carry out aerial attacks on high-value targets within Russia.