Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: "Ukraine Attempted to Assassinate Putin at Military Event Last Month"

Ukraine allegedly attempted to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin during a Russian military event last month, claimed Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on the 6th (local time).

According to Russian media outlet Lenta, Deputy Minister Ryabkov stated that last month Ukraine tried to carry out such a plan during the Russian Navy Day celebration attended by President Putin and Russian Defense Minister Belousov.

President Putin attended the Navy Day ceremony held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on the 28th of last month and observed the naval parade.

President Putin attending the Russian Navy Day event on the 28th of last month
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov explained that Defense Minister Belousov called U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to persuade Ukraine to abandon this plan, thereby avoiding escalation.

Earlier, the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 26th of last month that Defense Minister Belousov warned Secretary Austin on the 12th of last month about a 'secret operation' by Ukraine to attack Russia.

The NYT also added that the U.S. Department of Defense was unaware of such an operation, but took Belousov's warning seriously and contacted Ukraine to pressure them not to carry out such plans if they existed.

Subsequently, Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said in an interview with TASS on the 31st of last month that Defense Minister Belousov pointed out to Secretary Austin that Ukraine's operation was impossible without U.S. support and "warned of the risk of a completely uncontrollable escalation."

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