The Kremlin drone attack has sparked fears of an escalation in Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. The incident occurred on Wednesday night when two remotely-operated devices flew towards the domed roof of the Kremlin before being shot down by Russian air defences.
The attack did not harm anyone but has led to a ban on flying drones by private citizens in Moscow. The pro-Kremlin commentators are convinced that the drone attack was an attempt on Putin’s life. However, liberals are less convinced and have raised doubts about the authenticity of the attack. According to reports in Western media, US officials have been unhappy at attacks carried out within Russia itself.
Russia has accused the United States of masterminding the attack and claimed that Ukraine carried it out. However, Washington and Kyiv have denied responsibility and insisted that Ukraine’s war efforts are purely defensive.
According to the Ukrainians, it was either the work of Russians opposed to the government of President Vladimir Putin – “local resistance forces” – or it could have been a false-flag operation staged by Moscow.
The Kremlin and its supporters are adamant that a “terrorist attack” has been attempted aimed at assassinating President Vladimir Putin. Security expert Mark Galeotti, writing in The Spectator last month, said it is “clear that the West – or at least the United States – is working hard to try and restrain the Ukrainians from actions that risk escalation, but not always with full success”.
