RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter was at the centre of a Ukrainian drone attack during his visit to the Kursk Region on May 20, TASS news agency reported according to an air defence division commander.
Commander Yuri Dashkin said the presidential aircraft was flying through the area just as the intensity of the attack escalated, reported Bernama.
"The helicopter of the Russian President was virtually at the epicentre of repelling a large-scale attack by the enemy’s drones," Dashkin said in an interview aired by the Rossiya-24 TV channel.
He added that air defence units were engaged in active response measures to counter the drones while simultaneously ensuring the safety of the presidential flight.
Putin’s visit to the region included meetings with volunteers, municipal leaders and acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein.
It marked his first visit to the Kursk Region since it was declared liberated on April 26. – May 26, 2025
