The Kremlin has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin narrowly escaped a significant drone attack targeting his helicopter. According to reports, Mr Putin’s helicopter was “virtually at the epicentre of repelling a large-scale attack by the enemy’s drones” last Tuesday, but Russia’s air defences were swiftly activated to protect the head of state.
Yury Dashkin, commander of a Russian air defence division, stated: “We simultaneously conducted an air defense battle and ensured the safety of the presidential helicopter’s flight in the air.”
US President Donald Trump, when questioned by journalists on Sunday, claimed ignorance regarding the incident, saying: “I haven’t heard that. I don’t know, but I have not heard that.”
However, by Monday, Mr Trump had taken to Truth Social to criticise Mr Putin, labelling him “absolutely crazy”.
Despite these claims, the Russians have not provided further proof to back up the alleged close call. Moscow has also recently asserted that it has expelled Ukrainian forces from The Kursk region, which is adjacent to Ukraine, reports The Mirror.
Mr Trump expressed his displeasure following an intensification of hostilities in Ukraine. It is believed that around 900 drones were deployed by Russia in assaults from Friday to Sunday.
In addition to his outburst on Truth Social, Mr Trump told the press: “I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing. He’s killing a lot of people.”
US President Donald Trump has expressed his confusion and dissatisfaction with Vladimir Putin’s actions, stating: “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time. Always gotten along with him. But he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people. We’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all… I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
It is reported that Mr Trump had a two-hour phone conversation with Mr Putin last Monday, and initially felt optimistic about the potential for progress, describing the tone and spirit of the conversation as “tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.”
However, his sentiment shifted drastically when he wrote on Truth Social: “I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia.”
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on Monday that the Russian attacks “show the extent to which President Putin has lied to the Europeans and to the Americans.”
This led to Mr Trump revealing to reporters on Sunday that he was “absolutely” considering increasing sanctions on Russia, although an official announcement has yet to be made.
On Monday, the President began the day by paying his respects at Arlington National Cemetery to mark Memorial Day, before heading to his Trump-branded golf club in Sterling, Virginia, where he spent the remainder of the day.
