Putin's Helicopter Targeted in Drone Strike, Commander Says
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Vladimir Putin's helicopter was targeted by Ukrainian drones as he visited Kursk region in a surprise visit last week, an official has claimed.
The alleged attack took place as Russian president visited the border region for the first time since Moscow claimed it had repelled Ukrainian forces from the area last month.
His helicopter was "at the epicenter" of a "large-scale" Ukrainian drone attack on May 20, Yury Dashkin, commander of an air defense division, said, according to Kremlin newswire Tass.
"The intensity of the attack during the flight of the aircraft with the Commander-in-Chief over the territory of the Kursk Region increased significantly. Therefore, we simultaneously conducted an air defense battle and ensured the safety of the presidential helicopter's flight in the air," Dashkin said in an interview aired by the state-run Rossiya-24 TV channel.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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