Russia says U.S. was behind Kremlin drone attack, drawing quick denial

Russia accused the US on Thursday of a drone strike on Moscow’s Kremlin bastion to kill President Vladimir Putin.

A day after accusing Ukraine for a terrorist act, the Kremlin government blamed the US without evidence. The White House denied it immediately.

Ukraine has denied involvement in the early Wednesday incident, when video showed two flying objects approaching the Senate Palace inside the Kremlin gates and one exploding with a loud flare.

Of course, Kyiv and Washington’s denials are ludicrous. “We know very well that decisions about such actions, about such terrorist attacks, are made not in Kyiv but in Washington,” said Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

He said, without evidence, that the US was “undoubtedly” behind the incident and that Washington routinely chose Ukraine’s targets and methods.

“This is also often commanded from across the ocean… “Washington must know this,” Peskov said.

John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesperson, told MSNBC that Russia’s assertions were untrue and that Washington does not support Ukraine’s attacks abroad.

Russia has increasingly claimed that the US wants to “strategic defeat” Moscow. The US rejects that, saying it is arming Ukraine to defend itself and reclaim territory Moscow illegally captured in almost 14 months of war.

KILL ZELENSKIY
Peskov’s claim went further than Kremlin accusations against Washington.

Putin was not in the Kremlin, and security analysts have dismissed the assassination attempt.

However, Russia reserves the right to retaliate, and hardliners like former president Dmitry Medvedev have said it should “physically eliminate” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Peskov wouldn’t say if Zelenskiy was a legitimate target.

Russia had several alternatives and would respond wisely. He reported an urgent investigation.

Putin said personnel were working regularly on Thursday in the Kremlin.

The event occurred less than a week before Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, a public holiday and an opportunity for Putin to mobilize Russians behind his “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Peskov said air defenses will be reinforced, which was already underway for the military parade on Red Square, the holiday’s centerpiece, just over the Kremlin wall from the suspected attack.

He said Putin would address the procession as usual.