White House official denies "ridiculous" allegations from Moscow over alleged Kremlin drone strike
From CNN's Arlette Saenz
White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby addresses the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, on March 29. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
John Kirby, the National Security Council’s Coordinator for Strategic Communications, called accusations from Russia that the US directed Ukraine to carry out an alleged Kremlin drone attack and assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin "ridiculous."
His remarks came after Moscow spokesperson Dmitry Peskov alleged without any evidence that the US was behind the purported drone attack, and suggested the Ukrainian government was implementing decisions made in Washington.
“We are well aware that decisions on such actions and such terrorist attacks are not made in Kyiv, but in Washington. And Kyiv is already executing what it is told to do,” Peskov said on Thursday. “Such attempts to disown this both in Kyiv and in Washington are, of course, absolutely ridiculous.”
Ukraine vehemently denied responsibility for the alleged incident on Wednesday, as a series of extraordinary allegations from Moscow inflamed tensions between the two sides even further.
7:16 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
EU foreign policy chief urges Russia not to escalate war on Ukraine following alleged Kremlin drone attack
From CNN’s Allegra Goodwin
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on Russia not to intensify attacks on Ukraine, after Moscow accused Kyiv of targeting the Kremlin in an alleged drone strike and assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin.
“We call Russia not to use this alleged attack as an excuse to continue the escalation of the war. This is what worries us,” Borrell told reporters in Brussels.
“What worries us is this can be used in order to justify more conscription of people, soldiers, more attacks on Ukraine."
Borrell added that the "only solution for the war" is to support Ukraine “militarily, politically and economically.”
“The best solution for the war, the only solution for the war, is Russia stopping the attack and withdrawing their troops from Ukraine."
His remarks came as the Kremlin accused Ukraine of following orders by the US to carry out the alleged attack.
Ukraine on Wednesday denied any involvement in the strike. US officials said earlier this week they were still assessing the incident, and had no information about who might have been responsible.
7:16 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
Moscow accuses US of being behind alleged Kremlin drone attack
From CNN’s Anna Chernova
A view of the Kremlin, with damage visible on the dome section, after the drone attack in Moscow, Russia on May 3. (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Russia has accused Washington of being behind what it says was a drone attack on the Kremlin and an assassination attempt against President Vladimir Putin, the latest in a series of extraordinary allegations over the incident on Wednesday.
When asked by CNN if the Kremlin believed the US was behind the attack, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “Undoubtedly, Such decisions, the definition of goals, the definition of means -- all this is dictated to Kyiv from Washington.”
“We are well aware of this,” he added.
“We are well aware that decisions on such actions and such terrorist attacks are not made in Kyiv, but in Washington. And Kyiv is already executing what it is told to do," Peskov said. “Such attempts to disown this both in Kyiv and in Washington are, of course, absolutely ridiculous.”
The Kremlin spokesperson doubled down on the accusations, without providing any evidence, expanding on Russia’s view of how these decisions are made.
“We know that it is often not even Kyiv who determines the goals themselves, they are determined in Washington, and then these goals are brought to Kyiv so that Kyiv fulfils [those tasks],” Peskov said. “Not every time Kyiv is given the right to choose the means, this is also often ordered from across the ocean.”
“Washington must clearly understand that we know this,” he added.
Peskov did not provide any evidence to his claims, nor additional details regarding the alleged attack, saying that information would be released later.
He also told journalists Putin is "calm," despite the alleged attack and assassination attempt.
“You know that in such difficult, extreme situations, the president always remains calm, collected, clear in his assessments, in the commands he gives out," he added. "Therefore, nothing changed in this regard.”
He told CNN during the call with reporters that the alleged strike damaged two of the Senate Palace’s copper sheets, which will be repaired.
Some background: Earlier this week, Russia claimed Ukraine launched a drone strike targeting the Kremlin in an attempt to kill Putin, the official residence of the Russian president and the most potent symbol of power in Moscow.
US officials said earlier that they were still assessing the incident, and had no information about who might have been responsible.
CNN's Sebastian Shukla, Nathan Hodge, Matthew Chance and Katharina Krebs contributed reporting.
7:17 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
Netherlands will do “everything in their power” to make sure Russia is “being held to account” over Ukraine
From CNN’s Zahid Mahmood
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, listens to a speech by Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the World Forum in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 4. (Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock)
Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Bastiaan Hoekstra said the Netherlands will do “everything in their power” to make sure Russia is “being held to account" over the war in Ukraine, before President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the World Forum in a speech highlighting atrocities allegedly committed by Moscow.
“Children are being kidnapped every single day, every single day. And these are ordinary innocent people who have done nothing to deserve this terrible fate,” Hoekstra said in an introductory speech.
“And we can never accept this. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that Russia is being held to account," Hoekstra added.
“Together with all those who want peace and believe in justice.”
Hoekstra's remarks preceded Zelensky's comments that Russian President Vladimir Putin “deserves to be sentenced” for Moscow's invasion.
"Of course we want to see Vladimir here in the Hague,” Zelensky said while speaking at the World Forum. “The one who deserves to be sentenced for these criminal actions right here in the capital of the international law."
Remember: The ICC has launched several war crimes investigations over alleged atrocities committed by Moscow, issuing arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, a member of Putin's government.
5:50 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
Zelensky says Putin “deserves to be sentenced” in the Hague for actions in Ukraine
From CNN’s Zahid Mahmood
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech titled "No Peace Without Justice for Ukraine", in the Hague, Netherlands, on May 4. (Yves Herman/Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin “deserves to be sentenced” for Moscow's invasion, during a speech at the International Criminal Court (ICC) headquarters in the Netherlands where the ongoing conflict was likely at the top of his agenda.
"Of course we want to see Vladimir here in the Hague,” Zelensky said while speaking at the World Forum. “The one who deserves to be sentenced for these criminal actions right here in the capital of the international law."
“I'm sure we will see that happen when we win and we will win and when we win not just on the battlefield, not just against this aggression. Look at how countries around the world are coming together to help Ukrainians defend themselves, whatever their heart have this desire to help the feeling that more than the fate of one country is at stake," he said.
Some background: The ICC has launched several war crimes investigations linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where Kyiv, allied officials and the media have reported alleged atrocities committed by Moscow's troops.
In March, the court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, a member of Putin's government, for an alleged scheme to forcibly deport thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia.
At the same time, the ICC's Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan told CNN he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin could stand trial for alleged crimes committed during the conflict, despite Moscow’s arguments that it is not subject to the court’s decisions.
CNN's Rob Picheta, Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Caitlin Hu contributed reporting.
7:17 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
Russia launches investigation into fires at oil facilities in border region
From CNN’s Anna Chernova
A view across the Kerch Strait shows a fuel depot on fire near the village of Volna in Russia's Krasnodar region as seen from the coastline in Crimea, on May 3. (Reuters)
Russia's federal investigative authority is launching a probe into fires at oil facilities in the southwestern Rostov region, after Moscow accused Ukraine of hitting the depots in a series of targeted attacks.
According to a statement published by the Russian Investigative Committee on Telegram, the investigation will focus on the fires at the Novoshakhtinsk oil products plant in Rostov among other “criminal actions by the Armed formations of Ukraine.”
Kyiv has not commented on the fires.
The Russian Investigative Committee said an unmanned aerial vehicle “crashed into the structures of the plant's inter-workshop flyover under construction," on Wednesday night.
“The fire that resulted from the explosion was immediately extinguished. There were no casualties or injuries, and minor damage was caused to structures,” the statement commented.
The committee said it will also be investigating an unmanned aerial vehicle attack on a water tower in the Belgorod Region, as well as a fire that broke out at an oil refinery in the village of Ilsky in the Krasnodar region. It said it believed the blaze was caused by an attack of an “unknown unmanned aerial vehicle.”
Some context: Border attacks between Moscow and Kyiv have been ramping up in recent weeks. They included civilian and infrastructure targets and suggest an attempt to exhaust each other ahead of an anticipated Ukrainian spring offensive.
5:40 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
It's 12 p.m. in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know
From CNN staff
Russia launched its most forceful air bombardment on Kyiv since the start of the year, the Kyiv City Military Administration said, adding that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed all of the missiles aiming at the capital.
The barrage of attacks followed Moscow's allegations that Ukraine attempted to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone strike at the Kremlin overnight on Wednesday, accusations Kyiv has vehemently denied.
Here are the latest developments:
Kyiv resists Russian strikes: All Russian missiles and drones "were destroyed in Kyiv airspace" by Ukrainian air defense forces on Thursday, avoiding civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, the capital's military chief said.
Moscow batters Kherson: The death toll from Russian shelling in the southern Ukrainian city and its surrounding villages has risen to at least 23 people. Moscow struck Kherson at least 16 times, firing over 80 shells at Pryvokzalna Square, a railway station and crossing, a gas station, two stores, a factory and a car repair shop, the regional military administration said.
Russian oil plant fire: A blaze broke out at a petroleum plant in southwestern Russia on Wednesday night after a drone attack, according to the regional governor. It was the third apparent Ukrainian strike on a Russian fuel depot in two days. Ukraine has not commented on the incident.
Zelensky arrives in the Netherlands: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the Netherlands to deliver a speech at The Hague on Thursday. He will be visiting the International Criminal Court, where war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine are being investigated.
"For the Kremlin": Messages written on Russian drones launched at Odesa in southern Ukraine overnight read “for Moscow” and “for the Kremlin,” according to the Ukrainian military, an apparent reference to an alleged assassination attempt against Russian President Vladimir Putin -- for which Ukraine has vehemently denied any responsibility.
7:17 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
Kherson death toll rises to 23 after Russian shelling, Ukrainian official says
From CNN's Olga Voitovych in Kyiv
A firefighter works at the site of a train station hit by a Russian strike in Kherson on Wednesday. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
The death toll has risen to 23 following Russian shelling of the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine and its surrounding villages on Wednesday, the regional military chief said Thursday.
Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson regional military administration said on Telegram that another 46 people were injured, including two children.
Russian forces shelled Kherson 16 times, including its residential area, he said. More than 80 shells hit Pryvokzalna Square, a railway station and crossing, a gas station, two stores, a factory and a car repair shop, he added.
The regional military administration has declared Thursday through Saturday as days of mourning, he added.
Following the shelling Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “The world needs to see and know this.”
“A railway station and a crossing, a house, a hardware store, a grocery supermarket, a gas station — do you know what unites these places? The bloody trail that Russia leaves with its shells, killing civilians in Kherson and Kherson region.”
7:18 a.m. ET, May 4, 2023
"For the Kremlin:" Messages on Russian drones appear to reference alleged Putin assassination attempt
From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio in London and Olga Voitovych in Kyiv
An apparent message on the tail of a downed Russian drone reads "For the Kremlin," in this photo supplied by the Ukrainian military. (Operational Command South)
Messages written on Russian drones launched at Odesa overnight read “for Moscow” and “for the Kremlin,” according to the Ukrainian military, an apparent reference to an alleged assassination attempt against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Photos released by Ukraine’s Southern Command show the messages written on two tails of the drones, which the command said showed the apparent “reason for the attack.”
According to the Southern Command, 15 Shahed-131/136 drones were fired at Odesa, of which 12 were destroyed by air defense forces and mobile fire groups. The other three struck dormitories of an educational institution.
Kremlin incident: Ukraine has denied any involvement in what Russia says was a drone attack on the Kremlin and an assassination attempt against Putin early Wednesday morning.
Video on social media shows a bright flash and a puff of smoke over a part of the Kremlin, the official residence of the Russian president and the most potent symbol of power in Moscow. Putin was not in the building at the time, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied the accusations, saying during a news conference: "We don't attack Putin or Moscow."
US officials said they were still assessing the incident, and had no information about who might have been responsible.
Meanwhile, A former Russian lawmaker linked with militant groups in the country told CNN the alleged attack was the work of Russian partisans, not the Ukrainian military.
