Vladimir Putin survives alleged assassination attempt as motorcade 'attacked with bomb' amid war with Ukraine
MOSCOW, RUSSIA: According to Kremlin insiders, Vladimir Putin's car was allegedly attacked in what may have been an assassination attempt as the war in Ukraine continues to rage. Sources close to the leader said that the Russian president's car's left front wheel was struck by a "loud bang", followed by "heavy smoke", according to a report by The Sun.
Although Putin's limousine was driven to safety and the president was unharmed, it is claimed that multiple members of his security service have been arrested. According to the General GVR Telegram channel, some of his bodyguards have reportedly disappeared amid allegations that top-secret information about the 69-year-old ruler's movements was compromised. It is uncertain when the alleged assassination attempt occurred, and it is yet to be confirmed.
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According to the anti-Kremlin channel, Putin allegedly returned to his official residence in a decoy motorcade because of security concerns. According to reports, Putin was in the third of the five armored vehicles that made up the "backup" convoy. It reported, "On the way to the residence, a few kilometers away, the first escort car was blocked by an ambulance, and the second escort car drove around without stopping due to the sudden obstacle, and during the obstacle's detour."
According to reports, "A loud bang sounded from the left front wheel, followed by heavy smoke" in Putin's car. SVR General reported that Putin's car made its way out of the attack scene "despite the problems with control" to get to the safety of his residence. "Subsequently, the body of a man was found driving the ambulance, which blocked the first car from the motorcade," it continued.
The claim comes amid reports that Russian officials are demanding Putin's resignation as the country suffers significant setbacks as a result of a Ukrainian counterattack. Ukrainian troops have retaken a large portion of the territory, forcing Moscow troops to flee. In a humiliating blow to the Kremlin, Russian forces are said to be withdrawing from the key city of Melitopol in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region and heading toward Moscow-annexed Crimea.
Meanwhile, the Telegram channel stated that the details of the alleged attack are "classified." It went on to say that "the head of the president's bodyguard service and several other people have been suspended and are in custody," without naming anyone.
It added, "Only a small group of people knew about the president's movement in this cortege, and they were all from the presidential security service. Following the incident, three of them vanished. These were the people in the motorcade's first vehicle. Their fate is unknown at the moment. The car in which they were traveling was found empty a few kilometers away."