President Zelensky Denies Alleged Attack on Kremlin: We Didn't Attack Putin or Moscow

President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday denied Moscow's accusations that Kyiv was trying to attack the Kremlin, while revealing that his country would soon begin a counteroffensive against Russian troops on its territory.

Yesterday, Russia accused Ukraine of a failed attempt to assassinate President Vladimir Putin, in a drone strike on the Kremlin bastion, central Moscow, threatening strongly and will retaliate.

Speaking at a press conference in Finland, President Zelensky said the focus was on defending Ukraine's own towns and villages from the Russian invasion that was launched nearly 15 months ago.

"We are not attacking Putin, or Moscow, we are fighting on our territory," President Zelensky said, cited from Reuters, May 4.

Asked what Russia's interests were in accusing Ukraine of trying to kill Putin, President Zelensky said: "It's very simple. Russia has no victories. He (Putin) can no longer motivate his people, and he can't just send his troops to their deaths anymore... now he needs to motivate his people to move forward."

The Ukrainian president also said he believed the West would supply Kyiv with modern warplanes if his country was successful on the battlefield, citing previous examples of Ukraine being provided with new types of military assistance.

"This is why I believe we will soon have planes. Because we will soon go on the offensive, and after that I believe we will be given planes. I would have preferred the other way around, because it would be easier for us, but it is what it is and we are grateful for everything ," said President Zelensky.

"We need them. Really need them," he concluded.

It is known, the Russian presidential administration said the fragments of the drone had scattered on the territory of the Kremlin complex, but there were no casualties or material damage.

The RIA news agency said President Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time, working at the Novo Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.

Meanwhile, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday the city had imposed an outright ban on unlicensed drone flights.