Russia Shares Video of Downed Drone, Kyiv Denies Putin Attack
Russia’s defense ministry recently released video footage claiming to show a downed drone, purportedly from a Ukrainian attack on a presidential residence. This assertion has been met with skepticism from Ukrainian officials, who insist that no such attack occurred.
Claims of a Ukrainian Attack
According to Major-General Alexander Romanenkov, a senior officer in the Russian military, 91 drones were reportedly launched from Ukraine’s Sumy and Chernihiv regions. He characterized this operation as a “thoroughly planned” assault, which, he claims, was successfully intercepted by Russian air defenses, resulting in no damage or injuries.
Footage Released by Russia
- The video features a serviceman with what is said to be parts of a downed Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone.
- This drone allegedly carried a 6-kilogram explosive device that did not detonate.
- Romanenkov did not specify how the Russian military determined the drone’s intended target.
Ukrainian officials have dismissed the footage as “laughable,” asserting full confidence that no attack took place. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, emphasized that Russia provided no credible evidence to support its claims.
International Response
Western nations have raised doubts about Russia’s narrative, indicating concerns regarding the validity of the reported drone attack. This skepticism reflects ongoing tensions and the complex dynamics of the war in Ukraine.
Furthermore, reports indicate that a local resident, Igor Bolshakov from the Novgorod region, noted hearing sounds consistent with air defense rockets during the alleged attack. However, the specifics surrounding this footage remain unverified.
The situation continues to evolve, as both sides maintain their stances amidst international scrutiny and calls for clarity surrounding the incident involving the downed drone.
