Ukrainian secret service agents tried to assassinate Vladimir Putin with a kamikaze drone packed with explosives, it has been claimed.
Forces allegedly launched a UJ-22 drone, laden with 17kg of C4 plastic explosives, from Ukraine on Sunday with the aim of reaching a newly built industrial estate near Moscow where the President was due to visit.
German newspaper Bild’s source, Yuriy Romanenko, claims that Russian authorities are trying to keep the attempt quiet.
Romanenko claims to have close ties to Kyiv’s intelligence services and alleged said Ukrainian secret service agents had received information about Putin’s apparent trip to the industrial site.
In a tweet cited by Bild, Romanenko said: “Putin we are getting closer. Everyone saw the news about the drone that flew to Moscow, but did not explode? So, this drone flew for a reason.
“Last week, our intelligence officers received information about Putin’s trip to the industrial park in Rudnevo.
“Accordingly, our kamikaze drone took off, which flew through all the air defences of the Russian Federation and crashed not far from the industrial park.”
Putin propagandist Paval Zarubin said on Sunday morning that Putin was planning to “visit an industrial park in Moscow” without giving timings.
But Russian state media said Putin was set to visit the Rudnevo industrial park and hold a meeting on the development of unmanned aircraft systems today.
Romanenko said: “Considering how much Putin is obsessed with his own security, this story could have huge implications for the Kremlin towers.”
Ukraine expert Sergej Sumlenny told Bild: “It is clear that a precision strike against the Russian head of state with a kamikaze drone is an almost impossible action.
“But the very fact that such a drone would reach a place where Putin plans to stay is a slap in the face for the Russian dictator.”