Russian commander claims Putin's helicopter was caught up in Ukrainian drone attack during Kursk visit

Vladimir Putin’s helicopter was reportedly at the centre of efforts to repel a large-scale drone attack by Ukrainian forces during a recent visit by the Kremlin leader to Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

Source: Yuri Dashkin, Commander of the Air Defence division in Kursk Oblast, as quoted by RBC

Details: According to Dashkin, during Putin’s visit on 20 May, "the Ukrainian military launched an unprecedented attack" and Russian air defences supposedly destroyed 46 drones.

Quote: "We were simultaneously fighting an anti-aircraft battle and providing security in the air for the president’s helicopter. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president – ed.]

The helicopter was actually at the epicentre of our repulsion of a large-scale drone attack."