Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has survived an
assassination attempt, according to Euro Weekly News, a Spain-based English
news outlet. The information went out on the General GVR Telegram channel
Wednesday. The outlet added that it is not known when the attempt took place.

The left front wheel of Putin’s limousine was hit by a
loud bang, the news report said, adding that the car was quickly driven to
safety even as smoke emerged out of it.

An Australian news website, news.co.au. reported that
Putin was travelling back to his official residence in a decoy motorcade amid
security concerns.

While Putin was unharmed in the incident. The outlet
said a number of arrests have been made.

Moscow has been claiming threats to Putin’s life ever
since Russia invaded February 24. In 2017, Putin publicly claimed that he had
survived at least five assassination attempts.

“On the way to the residence, a few kilometres away,
the first escort car was blocked by an ambulance, the second escort car drove
around without stopping (due to the sudden obstacle), and during the detour of
the obstacle, an update posted on channel as reported by the outlet.

Putin’s troubles in Ukraine are now reaching the
Kremlin. Only a week ago, a group of politicians appealed to the State Duma to
bring treason charges against Vladimir Putin and strip him of power, citing a
series of reasons, including Russia’s military losses in Ukraine and the damage
to its economy from Western sanctions.

Russia’s war effort in Ukraine has suffered major
losses over the last week, the biggest since Moscow’s troops were ousted from
Ukraine. In such a circumstance, Putin has sought solace in Xi Jinping. The
Russian President will meet the Chinese President in Uzbekistan soon at the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization’s 2022 summit.

The Russian economy, cut off from its Western
neighbours, has become closer to China. China has been snapping up Russian coal
and oil to manage its energy shortage while Russia has become a top market for
Chinese currency.