Moscow Claims Ukrainian Drone Attack Targeted Putin’s Helicopter

Moscow has asserted that a significant drone attack from Ukraine aimed at President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter during his visit to the Kursk region, a location where Russian leaders faced conflict earlier this week.

Yury Dashkin, the chief of Russian air defense, reported that Putin’s helicopters were at the center of efforts to combat extensive drone strikes. He mentioned that the attacks coincided with a visit by Russian leaders to Kursk, an area that has seen considerable military action since World War II, particularly following Ukraine’s bold maneuvers last summer.

In what was described as an “unprecedented” assault, Dashkin claimed that dozens of drones, specifically fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, targeted Putin’s helicopters during his first visit since pushing Ukrainian forces out. This marked a significant escalation in drone attacks within the region. He noted, “The strength of the attacks targeting the Commander-in-Chief’s aircraft has significantly increased.”

Dashkin reported the destruction of 46 Ukrainian drones, emphasizing that the Russian Air Force is actively engaged in anti-aircraft operations to protect presidential helicopters. “The task has been accomplished. The enemy drone assaults were countered and all airborne threats were neutralized,” he declared.

With both sides ramping up drone operations, Moscow’s Foreign Ministry indicated that Ukraine had deployed 764 drones on Russian territory within a span of just a few days.

On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized several European nations, particularly the UK, France, Germany, and EU leadership, for exacerbating the situation by increasing support for Ukraine’s drone initiatives.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Russia had executed one of the most extensive drone and missile offensives in this ongoing conflict, claiming that around 300 drones and 70 missiles struck 30 cities, resulting in casualties, including among children.

“Each of these terrorist strikes from Russia justifies further sanctions against them,” Zelensky stated, expressing concern about the persistence of violence regardless of international sentiment. He emphasized the lack of effective pressure on Russian leadership, pointing out the need for coordinated global resolve in seeking peace.

While there were recent peace talks in Istanbul, instances of escalating attacks from both sides have emerged, coinciding with the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict’s onset.