Kremlin denies Putin was target of assassination attempt after limo hit with bang
The Kremlin has denied that someone tried to assassinate Vladimir Putin after allegations that his limousine was hit by something that caused a 'loud bang'.
The claims were made on messaging service Telegram and alleged that Putin's vehicle had been travelling as part of a convoy when the attack happened.
The alleged account of the incident claims the convoy was suddenly blocked by an ambulance, leading the cars to take a detour around it which is when the supposed assassination attempt occurred.
It was claimed that the attack produced a 'loud bang' and 'heavy smoke' from the left front wheel of his limo, though the Kremlin has quashed talk of a potential attempt to kill Putin.
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Allegations about the assassination attempt said the driver of Putin's limo was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drive him home unharmed.
According to Russian state media, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there was no factual basis to the claims that Putin had been the target of an assassination attempt.
Some of Putin's allies and other prominent figures in Russia have recently met with a series of unfortunate events.
Vladimir Sungorkin, editor in chief of pro-Putin newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, died 'suddenly' on 14 September after 'showing signs of suffocation' while on a business trip.
Another Putin ally, Ivan Pechorin, recently died after allegedly falling from a boat in the port city of Vladivostok.
Darya Dugina, the daughter of staunch Putin ally Alexander Dugin, was killed last month in a car bombing which Russia originally blamed Ukraine for before a Russian group calling themselves the National Republican Army (NRA) took responsibility.
They said they were dedicated to overthrowing Putin's regime and were trying to target both father and daughter with the bombing.
The group also said Putin's days are numbered and claimed he would be removed from power by elites in an attempt to lift sanctions imposed by many countries in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's invasion, which was launched more than six months ago, appears to be going poorly as Ukrainian counter attacks are quickly retaking large amounts of territory.
Other reports are claiming that some Russian soldiers are even refusing to fight in the face of the Ukrainian counter attack.
Moscow has said it is 'regrouping' its forces in other areas of Ukraine they still hold, which an uncharitable view on the situation might suggest is an attempt from the Russians to save face.
While it is too early to call the changes a decisive turning point in the war, this is not at all how Putin envisioned the conflict going when he sent his troops in six months ago.
While Russia struggles to win the war in Ukraine, the country is facing punishing sanctions from a number of nations around the world.
The country was discovered to be burning $10 million worth of natural gas each day due to it not being able to sell abroad thanks to sanctions.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.
Topics: Russia, Vladimir Putin, World News, News, Ukraine
Joe Harker