High-ranking Russian officials have directly implicated Ukraine and Western nations in the recent deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall, despite the Islamic State (IS) group claiming responsibility.
In a move that diverges from the evidence provided by IS’s released video of the incident, Vladimir Putin and two close associates have alleged that jihadists received assistance from both Western intelligence and Ukraine.
However, Ukraine has vehemently denied Russia’s accusations, labeling them as falsehoods. Moreover, the credibility of Russia’s claims is undermined by the fact that the US had forewarned Russia about a potential attack two weeks prior.
According to Russian authorities, the assault at the Crocus City Hall concert complex resulted in the death of 139 individuals, with 22 others remaining in critical condition, including two children. Four Tajikistani nationals have been brought to trial for carrying out the massacre, while four additional suspects face charges related to aiding terrorism.
In response to Russia’s accusations, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has emphasized the irrefutable evidence regarding the perpetrators and criticized the incompetence of Russian security agencies. Western nations have also dismissed the Kremlin’s narrative.
During a televised meeting, President Putin acknowledged that the attack was perpetrated by radical Islamists but insisted on uncovering the orchestrators behind it. He reiterated unfounded claims of the assailants attempting to flee to Ukraine.
Accusing the US of attempting to exonerate Kyiv from involvement, Putin reiterated his belief that the West, leveraging Ukraine, is engaged in an anti-Russian agenda.
Nikolai Patrushev, a longstanding ally of Putin and secretary of the security council, echoed Putin’s sentiments by squarely pointing fingers at Ukraine when asked about IS’s or Ukraine’s culpability.
Further exacerbating tensions, Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s FSB security service, implied complicity of both radical Islamists and Western intelligence services, with direct involvement of Ukraine’s security apparatus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Putin’s accusations, dismissing them as baseless and indicative of Putin’s propensity to deflect blame onto Ukraine.