Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed the U.S. on Thursday for what Russia claims was an assassination attempt by Ukraine targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin − and said retaliation options were being weighed.
“Attempts to disown this both in Kyiv and in Washington are, of course, absolutely ridiculous,” Peskov said. “We know very well that decisions on such actions and such terrorist attacks are made not in Kyiv, but in Washington.”
Kyiv has dismissed the allegation as a manufactured pretext by Moscow to justify massive strikes on Ukraine’s battered cities. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, asked about Russia’s claim on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” said Peskov was “just lying.”
“I can assure you that there was no involvement by the United States,” Kirby said. “Whatever it was, it didn’t involve us.”
Peskov declined to provide details on possible retribution, suggesting only “well-thought-out steps that meet the interests of our country.”
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said several indicators suggest the strike was internally conducted and purposefully staged “in an attempt to bring the war home to a Russian domestic audience” and increase public support for more call-ups and other sacrifices.
Moscow says its defenses shot down two drones attempting a strike Tuesday night on the Kremlin residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin was not at the Kremlin and his schedule was unaffected, his office said. Ukraine denied involvement.
“We are attacking neither Putin nor Moscow,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. “We are fighting on our own territory, defending our villages and cities.”
Developments:
∙ Ukraine’s National Corruption Prevention Agency designated Hungary’s OTP Bank an “international sponsor of war,” citing the bank’s decision to continue operating in Russia.
∙ Russian Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev called for Zelenskyy to be “physically eliminated.” Medvedev, who served one term as Russian president, cited what Russia views as recent terror attacks. He added that Zelenskyy was not needed to sign Ukraine’s ““unconditional surrender.”
∙ Zelenskyy, speaking Thursday at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, said he was confident Putin would face justice for war crimes committed against Ukraine. Zelenskyy traveled in a Dutch-supplied plane and an armored car amid tight security.
∙ Apparent attacks on Russian fuel networks in or near occupied Crimea will “likely force adjustments” to the military’s refueling operations, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote in its daily assessment of the war.
Odesa hit by drone strikes; Ukraine suspects retaliation
Three Russian drones that hit the southern Ukraine city of Odesa early Thursday appeared to be sent in retaliation for the reported strike on the Kremlin, the Ukraine military said. Kyiv also was the target of an air attack for the third time in four days. But the fiercest battles continue for Bakhmut and surrounding cities in the Donetsk region, military officials said. Ukraine’s air forces intercepted 18 out of 24 Iranian-made drones launched by Russian forces in various regions overall, and no casualties were reported, the military said.
Russia cracks down on support for terrorism
Russia’s Investigative Committee is targeting the arts in a campaign against “justification of terrorism.” The panel has opened a criminal case against Russian actor Aleksei Panin, who could face up to seven years in prison after writing on Telegram after last year’s Crimean Bridge explosion that he “cannot hide his joy.”
The panel also has launched a criminal case in connection with a theatrical production of the prize-winning play “Finist the Bright Falcon,” the Russian-opposition media website Meduza reports. The investigators are trying to establish that the play and its stage production contain terrorist propaganda, a violation of Russian law, Meduza writes.
Russia on edge ahead of Victory Day
Security concerns appear to be rising in Russia ahead of Victory Day next Tuesday, when Russia commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany ending World War II. Germany signed the Instrument of Surrender late on May 8, 1945 − May 9 Moscow Time, and the date is a major holiday across the country. Peskov said an annual parade in Red Square will go on as scheduled, but Russian independent outlet Vertska reported that authorities in at least 21 cities have canceled parades.
In the Central Russia region of Bryansk, governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said veterans will be greeted in their yards, and a flower-laying ceremony will be held at a local monument.
“Our veterans will not be left without attention,” he said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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