Russian authorities have claimed to have stopped an assassination attempt on Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The Federal Protection Service (FSO) said explosives were laid under a bridge that the Russian leader was expected to travel across.
Telegram channel VChK-OGPU has said authorities suspected a barge was involved in setting the trap for Putin’s motorcade. The Daily Star reports the boat is believed to be on a route from the Kremlin and Putin’s official residence outside of Moscow.
According to the post on VChK-OGPU: “The FSO was checking information about the preparation of an assassination attempt on Putin with the help of explosives at the bottom of the Moskva River, laid down from a barge. A duty officer of the Federal Security Service reported a suspicious barge under the bridge.”
Divers are believed to have been seen entering the water after the suspect barge was told to move, “due to the movement of motorcades over the bridge”.
The FSO reportedly checked the papers of the crew who are said to have been carrying out repairs on the bridge. No information about the detection of explosives or parties have yet been given.
The act has been described as an effort to “assassinate Putin”. The news comes amid an ongoing Ukrainian counter-offensive.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
