Russia claimed that Ukraine had attempted to assassinate President Vladimir Putin by bombarding the Kremlin overnight using drones.
On Wednesday, Russia accused Ukraine of using drones to attempt to murder President Vladimir Putin by bombing the Kremlin overnight.
The declaration from Moscow, which is the most dramatic charge it has brought against Kyiv since invading its neighbour more than 14 months ago, elicited no immediate response from Ukrainian officials.
According to the Kremlin, electronic defences prevented two drones from being utilised in the claimed attack on Putin's apartment within the fortified Kremlin bastion.
It was implied that Moscow would exploit the purported event to justify escalating its war with Ukraine when it declared Russia maintained the right to react.
"The Kremlin was the target of two unmanned aerial vehicles. The devices were rendered inoperable as a consequence of prompt steps made by the military and special services using radar warfare equipment, according to a statement from the Kremlin.
We view these activities as a premeditated terrorist attack and an attempt on the president's life, committed on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, where the participation of international dignitaries is also anticipated.
"The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures wherever and whenever it sees fit."
An image of a flying item bursting in a bright flash just before it reached the dome of the Kremlin Senate building facing Red Square was uploaded on the Telegram channel Baza, which has connections to Russian law enforcement organisations. The validity of the footage could not be immediately confirmed by Reuters.
The Kremlin complex's grounds were covered in drone pieces, according to a statement from the presidential administration, but no one was hurt and no property was damaged.
Putin, according to the RIA news agency, was working on Wednesday at his home in Novo Ogaryovo, a suburb of Moscow, and was not there at the time.