Kremlin's spin on Moscow attack: Putin's sleepless night and blame game
The Kremlin's propaganda efforts are in full force. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian leader Putin, shared in a Rossija1 interview that "Putin did not sleep all night" ahead of addressing the nation following the attack near Moscow. However, this is only part of the story.
1:11 PM EDT, March 31, 2024
In response to the assault on Crocus City Hall, a concert venue near Moscow, the Kremlin's propaganda has framed Russia as the aggrieved party. Initially, Putin pointed fingers at Ukraine for the attack, which Kyiv quickly denied involvement in.
The incident, resulting in 144 deaths and 551 injuries, was claimed by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province, an Afghan branch of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS). Followed by this, Moscow held public trials where coerced suspects, who confessed their guilt uniformly, were presented in court.
A total of eight individuals were detained in connection to the case.
In the aftermath, the media highlighted Putin's notable silence, which persisted for almost 20 hours before the leader addressed the citizens.
Peskov's strange remarks
In his statement, Putin labelled the attack "bloody and barbaric," mentioning that both women and children were among the casualties. He expressed gratitude towards the rescuers and "ordinary citizens" for aiding the injured. - All four suspects were apprehended. They attempted to flee towards Ukraine, where they had earlier prepared a route for crossing the border - Putin explained.
On Saturday, Peskov made an odd comment regarding Putin's feelings during the attack.
Putin had a sleepless night prior to his speech to the nation. - "The absence of tears does not imply he isn't grieving. It's quite improbable that anyone could fully grasp what he's going through, including myself and you," - Peskov stated to a journalist.
Peskov conveniently omitted any mention of Putin's sentiments during his aggressive actions in Ukraine or when the international community witnessed the atrocities committed by his forces in Bucha, Irpin, and Borodyanka in Ukraine.
Manipulative, shrewd, lawless
Putin's repugnant commentary on the demise of his chief adversary, Alexei Navalny, is telling. Putin surfaced at the Central Election Commission, self-proclaimed his presidency, just minutes after the election polls closed. This was the first occasion he publicly uttered Navalny's name.
