Your Thursday Briefing – The New York Times

An explosion on top of the Kremlin

After a pair of explosions atop the Kremlin early yesterday, Russia accused Ukraine of trying to kill Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, with a drone attack. Kyiv denies any involvement and insists that Russia has staged the incident to distract attention from an impending Ukrainian counterattack and possibly to justify an escalation of its own attacks.

Video footage showed two drones exploding over the Kremlin 15 minutes apart, the first just before 2:30 a.m. Russia called an unsuccessful “attempt on the president’s life” by Ukraine thwarted by “Russian electronic warfare systems.” ” but did not publish any evidence of the Ukrainian link.

A drone attack on the most symbolic heart of Russian power would be a powerful move by Kyiv, with the potential for serious consequences. There were no reports of serious damage, and the Russian government said Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time.

US Intelligence: The agency is still trying to determine what happened, according to officials. But the US has in the past expressed concern that a Ukrainian attack on Russian soil could hurt Moscow without direct effects on the battlefield.

In other news from the war:

9 killed in school shooting in Serbia

A seventh-grader armed with a handgun and Molotov cocktails shot and killed eight children and a security guard yesterday when he attacked his school in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. The boy will not bear criminal responsibility for the murder because he is under 14, according to authorities in Belgrade.

The attack took place around 8:40 a.m. at Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school, in the upscale neighborhood of Vracar. The student shot dead seven girls and one boy using two pistols, which were taken from their father. Six children and a teacher were also injured in the attack.

The attacker, who officials say has “shown no remorse,” has been arrested and taken to a mental health clinic. The boy’s parents were also arrested.

Quote: “Today is one of the most difficult days in the modern history of our country,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a speech. “Unfortunately, Serbia is united in grief.”

In the US: A gunman killed one person and wounded at least four others in a medical office building in Midtown Atlanta. The suspect has been caught by the police.

Voters in the UK go to the polls

Local elections will be held across Britain today to test the popularity of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has stabilized British politics but the Conservative Party trails the opposition Labor Party in the polls by double digits in the face of falling inflation, sluggish economic growth. and labor unrest.

At stake are seats for around 8,000 representatives at lower levels of government. Voter turnout will be lower than in a general election, and parish issues like planned housing developments could affect some races. Still, this could be the biggest public choice between now and the next general election, due next year.

Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, needs a good result to keep his hopes of becoming the next prime minister alive. Despite moving the party close to power, it failed to attract voters. Some of the most closely watched votes will be in the red-walled areas of northern England and the Midlands, once the heartland of the Labor Party.

Time: If the Conservatives suffer, the prime minister has one thing in mind: On Saturday, all the attention of the British news media will turn to the pomp and pageantry of the coronation of King Charles III.

Voter ID: Voters will, for the first time, be asked for proof of identity. The move has caused a political storm in Britain, where critics claim the changes could reduce voter turnout, discourage young people from voting and alienate some minority voters.

As in many other places in England, devotion to the monarchy in Bristol, where the average life expectancy is about 34 years, has been hot and cold.

“The royal family, when I was young, they were everything, and now they are different,” said one 82-year-old resident. He added: “I don’t think a lot of people are excited about the coronation now. There’s a sense that it’s a little bit lost.”

SPORTS NEWS FROM ATHLETICS

Lionel Messi’s run at PSG ends here. It’s the right call: There is no way back now that Paris St.-Germain has suspended the superstar for two weeks. It can be an inspiring movement.

This football team outshines its rivals. Now the worst in the Premier League: When not winning trophies, Chelsea are happy to destroy the dreams of their rivals. Never.

From The Times: Tori Bowie, the sprinter who won three medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the following year won the world championship in the 100 meters with a stunning comeback, has died aged 32.

What do Kate Bush, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow and Rage Against the Machine have in common?

Along with George Michael and the 1970s soul group the Spinners, this act is this year’s genre-spanning inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, voted on by more than 1,000 artists, historians and music industry professionals.

None of these musicians fit the narrowest strictures of what constitutes rock. But the genre and the institution are increasingly open to honoring rappers, pop singers and country artists like Dolly Parton, who tried to remove herself from consideration last year, but was singled out.

That’s today’s briefing. Thank you for joining me. — Natasha

PS Yes, it’s Star Wars Day. (Hint: Say “May the 4th be with you” out loud.) If movie marathons aren’t your thing, why not read The Times’ original review?

You can reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.