MOSCOW: The Russian government on Thursday accused the United States (US) of masterminding a drone attack on the Kremlin and blamed Ukraine for a series of sabotage attacks behind Russian lines.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the decisions for such attacks were not made in Kyiv but in Washington, adding that Ukraine was only doing what it was told to do.
The Kremlin alleges that Ukraine carried out the drone attack with two drones aiming to kill President Vladimir Putin, a charge that Kyiv has denied.
The spokesman said Putin was working in his office at the Kremlin as usual on Thursday, but security measures in Moscow would be beefed up following the attack, which the Kremlin claimed took place between Tuesday and Wednesday night. He added that everything would be strengthened in preparation for the Victory Day military parade on May 9.
Russia has also reported a series of train derailments and drone attacks on oil facilities, which it has blamed on Ukraine.
In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry claimed that the terrorist and sabotage activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were gaining unprecedented momentum. It also reserved the right to take retaliatory measures.
The accusations come amid increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine over the conflict in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine’s bid for closer ties with the West.
US vocal supporter of Ukraine
The United States has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, and the allegations by Russia of US involvement in the drone attack on the Kremlin are likely to further strain the already tense ties between the two nations.
The US State Department has yet to respond to Russia’s allegations. However, the US has previously denied any involvement in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and has called on Russia to de-escalate tensions in the region.
