Freedom of Russia Legion blames Putin for Moscow concert attack
The "Freedom of Russia" Legion has accused Vladimir Putin of orchestrating a shooting at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow. The group recalls the 1999 bombing attack that allegedly facilitated the dictator's rise to power.
7:18 AM EDT, March 23, 2024
The legion referenced the theory that the FSB was responsible for the 1999 bombings, which are believed to have aided Vladimir Putin's ascendancy to power.
"Official statement of the Legion 'Freedom of Russia': For the tragedy that occurred today in Moscow, we hold Putin's terrorist regime accountable. We have witnessed similar expressions of the Kremlin's dictatorship from the onset of Putin's rule and are not astonished by another bloody provocation. A terrorist attack was executed, and similarly orchestrated was its media coverage. We want to clarify that the Legion is not in conflict with the Russian civilian population," the "Freedom of Russia" Legion stated.
The 1999 bombing attacks
The Legion's statement highlights the terrorist bombings in Russia in 1999, which led to the Second Chechen War and Putin’s eventual election as the president of Russia.
At that time, residents in one of the buildings in Ryazan reported suspicious bags being moved into the basement. A patrol discovered a detonator and three 110-pound bags of sugar laced with hexogen, an explosive material.
Some theories suggest that the Federal Security Service was behind these bombings. This claim was supported by former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who later died from polonium poisoning. The 1999 attacks resulted in 300 fatalities.
Shooting in Krasnogorsk
A shooting incident took place at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow, on Friday. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, by Saturday, the death toll had risen to 115, with another 121 people hospitalized after an explosion occurred inside the building. Subsequently, mass weekend events and university classes across Russia were canceled.
Reports indicate that the assailants opened fire on attendees, accompanied by explosions. The incident led to a fire, causing part of the building's roof to collapse. Security forces then sealed off all exit routes from the city.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Moscow, although no evidence has been provided to support this claim.
Source: Bielsat
