Putin Blames Ukraine for Deadly Moscow Concert Attack, Ignoring ISIS Claim

Two weeks have passed since the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow. Over this period, President Vladimir Putin has been constructing a narrative that places the blame on Ukraine for this horrific incident, disregarding the notion that Islamists orchestrated it.

On March 22, the tranquil atmosphere of Crocus City Hall was shattered as terrorists opened fire and detonated explosive devices. The resulting fire led to the roof's collapse, and tragically, at least 144 people lost their lives.

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the ISIS-K terrorist group soon after the tragedy unfolded.

Russian officials, despite lacking concrete evidence, assert that Ukraine is to be held accountable. Kyiv, however, has refuted any connection to the incident, as reported by the "Meduza" website.

President Vladimir Putin shares this insistence on Ukraine's culpability, persistently promoting a narrative that overlooks the possibility of an Islamist motive behind the attack.

"Russia is not the aim of Islamic fundamentalist attacks... We are convinced that those behind the heinous, dreadful terrorist act at Crocus City Hall intended to fracture our unity," Putin argues.

Putin suggests that, contrary to the claims, Russia exemplifies peaceful coexistence among diverse nationalities and faiths, including Muslims.

In one of his addresses, Putin delved into the matter of Ukraine's occupied territories, revealing that about 3.2 million inhabitants from the Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kharkiv regions have been granted Russian passports.

"It's imperative to enhance our emergency preparedness. Vital locations across the Russian Federation must be secured with immediate effect," Putin commanded his officials. He further noted that Russia faces intertwined internal and external threats aimed at constraining the country.