Vladimir Putin was 'targeted by massive drone attack' as Russia claims he survived

 

Putin Survives Alleged Drone Attack; Trump Responds with Confusion and Criticism

The Kremlin has reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin narrowly escaped a drone strike on his helicopter last Tuesday. According to Russian officials, Putin's aircraft was at the center of a major drone assault allegedly launched by Ukrainian forces, though Russian air defences were quickly activated to prevent any harm.

Yury Dashkin, a commander in Russia's air defense forces, stated: “We simultaneously carried out an air defense operation while securing the flight path of the presidential helicopter.”

Despite the dramatic claims, the Russian government has not released any evidence to substantiate the alleged attack. The announcement comes amid broader Russian assertions that Ukrainian forces have been pushed out of the contested Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.

When asked about the incident on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared unaware, telling reporters, “I haven’t heard that. I don’t know, but I have not heard that.”

However, by Monday, Trump took to Truth Social to sharply criticize the Russian leader, calling Putin “absolutely crazy.”

Tensions have escalated over the past several days, with Russia reportedly deploying around 900 drones in a series of assaults from Friday through Sunday. The increase in hostilities has drawn further reaction from President Trump, who said: “I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He’s killing a lot of people.”

Speaking to the press, Trump expressed his frustration and disbelief: “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin. I’ve known him a long time. Always got along with him. But he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people. We’re in the middle of talks, and he’s launching strikes on Kyiv and other places. I don’t like it one bit… I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”

Reports indicate Trump and Putin held a two-hour phone call last Monday, which Trump initially described positively, saying the "tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent." But his tone shifted in a subsequent Truth Social post: “I’ve always said he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it. Maybe that’s becoming clear now—but if he goes that far, it’ll mean the collapse of Russia.”

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in, saying the latest Russian attacks “demonstrate how deeply President Putin has deceived both Europe and the United States.”

In response, Trump told reporters he was "absolutely" considering stricter sanctions on Russia, though no formal decision has been announced.

That same day, President Trump began Memorial Day by paying tribute at Arlington National Cemetery, before spending the rest of the day at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia.