Three hypotheses are in the field about the alleged attempt to kill Vladimir Putin. A Kiev-directed assassination attempt, an internal false flag attack by internal spies or dissidents, or, finally, a staged Russian propaganda plot to stoke terror and justify possible future actions.
The only certainty about what happened on the night of May 2 to 3 at the Kremlin in Moscow is that there was an explosion. The explosion, according to Russian government reports, caused no injuries or damage to the facility, the seat of the Putin-led executive branch.
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Kremlin explosion, Russia blames Ukraine forces
For the Russians, there is no doubt about it. The two Ukrainian drones were shot down while trying to hit the heart of the government in Moscow. An attack foiled by anti-aircraft fire. An attack, again according to Moscow, on Putin.
Who, however, was not inside the facility at the time. An attack that leads the Kremlin to consider “retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit”.
For its part, Ukraine has denied everything, denying any involvement and opening to possible internal feuds within the Russian government. “We have not attacked Putin or Moscow,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We are fighting on our own territory defending our towns and villages. We don’t have enough weapons to be able to do that. We do not attack Putin, we leave that to the court,” Zelensky added.
Moscow accuses the United States
Twenty-four hours after the Kremlin attack, spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the United States into question.
“Attempts to deny this (attack) by both Kiev and Washington are, of course, absolutely ridiculous. We are well aware that decisions on such actions and terrorist attacks are not made in Kiev. But in Washington. And Kiev is already doing what the United States tells it to do,” Peskov added.
Peskov said Russia is still considering what retaliation to implement, stressing that there is a “wide variety.” “Of course, I cannot provide details,” the spokesman insisted, but the steps that will be taken will be “well thought out and in the interest of our country.”
The White House response: the attack is Russian propaganda
Yesterday, on May 3, the U.S. government was skeptical about the alleged attack on the Kremlin and especially on Putin’s life. The hypothesis beaten out by Joe Biden’s analysts is that of a demonstration act for propaganda purposes.
Thus, in an attempt to consolidate the domestic position in the country on the costly (in terms of money and lives) war in Ukraine.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre repeated that the U.S. is unable to confirm the authenticity of the reports coming from Russia, adding that “since the beginning of the conflict we have encouraged Ukrainians not to strike beyond their borders.”
Read also: Putin’s war: what are the real and alleged targets of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
