The Kremlin claimed that two drones were used in the alleged attack but were disabled by Russian defences. Mr Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time and there was no material damage to buildings.
Unverified footage on Russian social media showed smoke over central Moscow. Ukraine has not yet commented on the allegation.
The incident was called a “planned terrorist act” and an assassination attempt on the president on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade. The May 9 Parade is an annual military parade in Moscow that commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to Moscow, Ilya Kiva, to protest against what it called “aggressive actions” by Ukraine. The ministry said that Russia had “irrefutable evidence” of Ukrainian involvement in the alleged drone attack.
Ukraine has denied any involvement in the alleged drone attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he was “surprised” by Russia’s allegations and called for an investigation into the incident.
The alleged drone attack comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has been accused of supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
