Moscow lied about Putin targeted by Ukrainian drones in Kursk — report

Citing four Kremlin sources, The Moscow Times said security officials spread accounts of this “risky” episode in the media to convince Russians that the president is not “hiding behind others” but also selflessly exposing himself to risk. All interviewees spoke on condition of anonymity.

The report noted that Putin was indeed in Kursk Oblast recently, where he flew in a helicopter. However, officials maintained that his personal security was ensured “at the highest level.”

“Nobody ever would allow such criminal negligence; not even in a nightmare,” one anonymous source told reporters.

The “sensational” claim that the president’s helicopter ended up “at the epicenter of repelling a massive enemy drone attack” was broadcast by the Russian Defense Ministry on the state propaganda TV channel VGTRK.