Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv Denies Involvement in Drone Attack on Kremlin

A Ukrainian presidential aide said Kyiv has no involvement in a recent drone attack that targeted the Kremlin. The aide noted that such an attack does not benefit Ukraine and would only provoke Russia to retaliate.

In comments to Reuters, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak on Wednesday that the accusation by Moscow that Kyiv was behind the drone attack on the Kremlin, along with Russia’s arresting of alleged Ukrainian saboteurs, was a sign that Moscow was gearing up for a large-scale “terrorist” attack in the coming days. Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones to target Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“Of course, Ukraine has nothing to do with drone attacks on the Kremlin. We do not attack the Kremlin because, first of all, it does not resolve any military tasks,” said Podolyak. “In my opinion, it is absolutely obvious that both ‘reports about an attack on the Kremlin’ and simultaneously the supposed detention of Ukrainian saboteurs in Crimea…clearly indicates the preparation of a large scale terrorist provocation by Russia in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, local media reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to the Netherlands on Wednesday. The unannounced visit includes a meeting with the International Criminal Court which is based in The Hague, and a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and members of the Dutch parliament.

Dutch news outlet ANP reported that Zelenskyy landed at the Schiphol Airport late Wednesday following his surprise attendance at a Nordic summit in Finland earlier that day.

During Zelenskyy’s visit to The Hague, he is also expected to deliver a speech titled “No Peace Without Justice for Ukraine,” according to public broadcaster NOS.

Zelenskyy has already made unannounced visits overseas to London, Paris, and Washington DC since Russia’s invasion. During his unannounced visit to Helsinki, Zelenskyy pledged that 2023 would become a decisive year for Kyiv in dealing with Moscow.

“I believe that this year would be decisive for us, for Europe, for Ukraine, decisive for victory,” Zelenskyy told reporters in a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

During the Nordic summit, the countries in attendance pledged continued support for Ukraine. Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden pledged continued “political, financial, humanitarian, and military support.”