Today, Russia claimed that Ukraine had attempted to assassinate President Vladimir Putin. Two drones allegedly utilised in the purported attack were shot down, according to the report.

It was implied that Moscow would exploit the purported event to justify a further escalation in the 14-month-old war with Ukraine by saying that Russia reserved the right to retaliate.

It said that it saw the purported incident as "a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President of the Russian Federation." Putin remained unharmed, and the Kremlin building sustained no material damage.

"Two unmanned vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin... the devices were put out of action," the Kremlin said in a statement. The Russian president was not on the premises at the time of the attempted drone attack, the Kremlin added.

Ukraine has said it has "nothing to do" with alleged Kremlin drone attack.

"Ukraine has nothing to do with drone attacks on the Kremlin," presidential spokesman Mikhaylo Podolyak said. "Ukraine does not attack the Kremlin because, firstly, that does not solve any military aims," he added.

Pale smoke was seen rising behind the main Kremlin Palace in the walled citadel following the alleged incident, according to an unconfirmed video that has been circulating on Russian social media sites including the channel of the military news source Zvezda. Another showed one of the drones being shot down by Russia directly over the dome of the presidential palace.

The dome of the Kremlin was set on fire to celebrate Russia's Defeat Day@KremlinRussia_E@mod_russia#Moscow #Russia#Kyiv #Ukraine 🇺🇦#Kherson #Bakhmut pic.twitter.com/QORymzCZ34

— RakanSlmaan (@RakanSlmaan) May 3, 2023