Russian Military Alleges Ukraine Drone Attack on Putin Helicopter in Kursk

On May 20, Ukraine allegedly launched a large-scale drone attack targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's helicopter during his rare visit to the Kursk region, close to the Ukrainian border. Russian Air Force Major-General Yuri Dashkin reported that 46 Ukrainian drones were shot down in an intense air defense operation that simultaneously protected Putin's helicopter, which was reportedly at the epicenter of the attack. The Kremlin confirmed that the attack was repelled successfully and suggested Ukraine had inside information about Putin's secret trip, which was only announced after he returned safely. Putin's visit to Kursk, an area recently reclaimed by Russia after months of Ukrainian occupation, was accompanied by staged footage of him interacting with local residents and criticizing Ukrainian forces. While Russian state media framed the event as an assassination attempt, independent verification of the drone strike and the targeting of Putin remains unavailable, and some observers speculate the claims aim to bolster Putin's image amid the ongoing conflict. The incident highlights the escalating tensions and warfare complexities near the Russia-Ukraine border regions.