What to remember on Thursday, May 4

Did Ukraine Try to Strike the Kremlin with a Drone on U.S. Orders? That’s what Russia said on Thursday, May 4, a hypothesis rejected by the West, with Washington leading the way. As the Ukrainian counter-offensive takes shape, destruction of drones by Kyiv is increasing. Francinfo takes what to remember from the day of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

Drone blast on Kremlin: Moscow blames, Washington responds

On Wednesday, Moscow condemned an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin and said it had intercepted two Ukrainian drones targeting the Kremlin. On Thursday, a great deal of uncertainty still surrounded the alleged strike attempt, the most dramatic to be attributed to Ukraine since the Russian offensive began in February 2022.

Russian officials have not made any evidence public, and some Russian media outlets could not confirm the videos aired in which a small drone was seen approaching the Kremlin and then bursting into flames. Ukraine, however, has vehemently denied any involvement in the affair, even blaming Russia “stage” To justify the potential escalation of the conflict in the future without providing concrete evidence.

“The attempts of Kyiv and Washington to deny responsibility are completely absurd. Decisions about such attacks are made in Kyiv, not in Washington.”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday without substantiating his allegations. America “It has nothing to do with this case.”, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby responded. EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has meanwhile urged Moscow not to use the Ukrainian offensive. “As an excuse to continue the escalation” In conflict.

Tight security in Moscow ahead of May 9 celebrations

Security measures will be in place “fortified”A Kremlin spokesman promised, while celebrations for May 9, marking the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany, falter. speech, according to his spokesman.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday “Terrorist and Sabotage Activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” were taking “Unprecedented Size”. Attacks have actually multiplied in recent days, especially with drones and many intrusions through spectacular railway vandalism. On Thursday, drones attacked two oil refineries in southwestern Russia near Ukraine. Later in the evening, another was shot dead near a Russian airbase in Sevastopol in annexed Crimea.

kyiv says it shot down about 20 drones before its counterattack

On the ground, Russian strikes have been intensifying for several days, with 145 reported since May 1, according to the US State Department. Ukraine, which says it is finalizing preparations for a major attack, said on Thursday it had shot down about 30 explosive drones sent by Russia.

Earlier in the evening in Kiev, hit by a wave of attacks the previous night, explosions were heard again by AFP journalists, the capital’s mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, reported. “Explosions and Fires”. However, in a clarification a few hours later, the Ukrainian Air Force agreed to destroy one of its own drones, the Pyrektor TB2 (made in Turkey). “During a routine flight in the Kyiv region”.

The attacks come as Ukraine says it has completed preparations for a major spring offensive that has been announced for weeks. The exact date of the attack and its goals are rife among analysts, although the goal is said to be to recapture the occupied territories in the east and south.

Volodymyr Zelensky calls for the creation of a special court for the crime of aggression

During his visit to The Hague (Netherlands), where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is located, Volodymyr Zelensky called for the creation of a special court to punish them. “Crime of Aggression” Russian, “The Beginning of Evil”. He also said that Ukraine. “realistic”It does not expect to join NATO as long as the conflict continues to rage, while urging its Western allies to resume arms deliveries “as quickly as possible”.

An investigation was launched after leaks of Volodymyr Zelensky’s possible visit to Germany.

Berlin police have announced that they have opened an investigation into one of its members leaking information to the press about Volodymyr Zelensky’s possible visit to Germany. Investigation involves a “Suspicion of Secret Treason”After the information was published in the Berlin daily on Wednesday BZ On a possible visit of the President of Ukraine to Berlin on May 13. In its Wednesday edition, The BZCiting a member of the Berlin police, Zelensky said he would land in Berlin on May 13 and be received with military honors by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and then President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the 14th.