Kremlin Palace "Protecting Head of State at Appropriate Level"
Ukrainian Intelligence Chief "Multiple Attempts to Assassinate Putin"
Political Assassinations Spreading Worldwide... Security Measures Challenge
Immediately after the shooting incident involving former President Donald Trump, Russian authorities significantly strengthened the security detail for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian intelligence agencies revealed that they had made several assassination attempts on President Putin but failed. Russia believes that the U.S. government is supporting Ukraine's assassination operations behind the scenes. As shooting attacks continue, the issue of security for heads of state and key politicians has emerged as a new challenge not only for the U.S. and Russia but globally.
Russia: "Putin is Safe... Trump Was Targeted Due to His Stance on Halting Support to Ukraine"
The Kremlin in Russia reinforced security measures for President Putin on the 15th (local time), immediately following the Trump shooting incident. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, emphasized in a press briefing that "security has already been enhanced," adding, "The protection of the head of state is guaranteed at an appropriate level, and all necessary measures are being taken considering the escalating international tensions."
He also denied that President Putin had contacted former President Trump after the shooting incident. Peskov stressed, "Since the incident, President Putin has had no contact with Trump, and there are currently no plans for any calls." He further criticized the Joe Biden administration and the U.S. Democratic Party, stating, "This shooting incident occurred amid numerous attempts to push candidate Trump out of politics."
Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the Russian Duma (lower house), suggested via his Telegram that Trump's stance on Ukraine might have triggered the incident. He said, "Trump is one of the few Western politicians who publicly mentioned the need to stop military support for Ukraine," and claimed, "Political opponents in the U.S. and Europe are exploiting a problematic and divided society for their selfish interests."
Ukrainian Intelligence Chief: "Assassination Attempts on Putin Failed"... Russia Claims U.S. Funds Assassins
Kyrylo Budanov, Director of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR). [Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]
Ukrainian authorities disclosed that there have been several assassination attempts on President Putin, all unsuccessful. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR), recently stated in an interview with local media, "There have been several assassination attempts on Putin, but as you know, none succeeded," adding, "If Putin were to die, the reaction of the Russian people would be similar to when Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin died in 1953. At that time, many Soviets were confused, wondering how to live on."
Last May, two drones infiltrated the Kremlin, which the Russian military shot down. The Russian government claimed the incident was a planned assassination attempt targeting President Putin and strongly condemned Ukraine. Ukraine denied any involvement in the incident and, conversely, accused Russia of attempting to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy five to six times.
Russia points to the U.S. as the mastermind behind the assassination attempts on President Putin. They claim that while the U.S. provides military aid to Ukraine, it also supports weapons and funding for assassination operations. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said, "Budanov, one of the leaders of the Ukrainian regime, admitted to the assassination plot against the Russian president by Ukrainian intelligence," adding, "This assassination attempt was financially supported by the U.S. Such operations would be impossible without American funding."
Shooting Attacks on Politicians Spread Worldwide... Strengthening Security Becomes a New Challenge
Shooting attacks targeting politicians during campaigns are occurring worldwide, making enhanced security a new priority for security agencies in various countries. Notably, such shooting incidents have increased since the 2020s.
In Europe, in May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot three times in the chest and abdomen while greeting supporters in a village on the outskirts of Bratislava. He was rushed to the hospital and survived after multiple surgeries. Fico is known as a prominent pro-Russian politician in Eastern Europe, and the assassin reportedly acted out of dissatisfaction with his pro-Russian stance.
In September 2022, there was an assassination attempt on Cristina Fern?ndez, former President and then Vice President of Argentina. A man in his 30s aimed a handgun at Fern?ndez's forehead, but fortunately, the gun did not fire.
In July 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed during an election campaign in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, by a former Self-Defense Forces member using a modified homemade gun. Then, in April last year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was targeted in a bomb attack during a by-election campaign in Wakayama Prefecture. Fortunately, security personnel intercepted the explosive, allowing Prime Minister Kishida to escape unharmed.
In July 2021, Haitian President Jovenel Mo?se was shot and killed by assailants who broke into his residence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Over 40 people were arrested immediately after the incident, but the masterminds behind the assassination remain unclear.
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