1 day ago
Last Updated:May 26, 2025, 08:00 IST
His remark came on the same day when Russia attacked Ukrainian Kyiv and other regions with drones and missiles. The attack claimed 12 lives and injured dozens.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Image: AP/File)
A Russian military commander has claimed that President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter was “at the epicenter" of a Ukrainian drone attack during a flight over Russia’s Kursk Oblast on May 20.
Yury Dashkin, commander of an air defense division, told Russian news outlet RBC on May 25 that his unit was simultaneously repelling a “massive" drone attack while ensuring the safety of the president’s aircraft.
“We were simultaneously engaged in an air defense battle and ensuring airspace security for the president’s helicopter flight," he said.
His remark came on the same day when Russia attacked Ukrainian Kyiv and other regions with drones and missiles. The attack claimed 12 lives and injured dozens.
Notably, it was the largest single attack by Russia in the more than three-years-long war, according to Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force.
He also told The Associated Press that Russia used a total of 69 missiles of various types and 298 drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed drones in the attack.
It was “the most massive strike in terms of the number of air attack weapons on the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022," Ihnat said.
Meanwhile, following the attack, US President Donald Trump lashed out at Putin and said the latter has gone “absolutely crazy".
Taking to his Truth Social platform, “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldier."
Location :Russia
First Published:News world Putin’s Helicopter Was ‘Near Epicenter’ Of Ukrainian Drone Attack: Russian Military Officer
