The Kremlin has insisted that a helicopter flying over Moscow with armed figures on a platform was just a “routine drill”.
Members of the public spotted two helicopters taking off near Moscow’s Red Square in broad daylight carrying armed personnel.
They took off from a helipad behind the Kremlin walls and could be seen flying above central Moscow.
Footage of the helicopter was shared widely on social media and prompted discussion online as to whether the Kremlin's security forces were practising for the evacuation of President Vladimir Putin or the rapid deployment of combat forces within the city.
The Federal Protective Service, whose officers guard the Kremlin and are responsible for security for Mr Putin and other top officials, played down the incident.
"Nothing unusual happened, planned autumn drills were held as they always are in recent years," the Federal Protective Service was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the drills were "nothing extraordinary" and that it was natural that they should be carried out at a state protected facility which also serves as an official presidential residence.
Agencies contributed to this report
