Russia suspects Ukraine in concert attack, questions ISIS involvement

Russia is attempting to implicate Ukraine in a terrorist attack that took place at a concert in Crocus City Hall, near Moscow. The tragic event resulted in the deaths of 137 individuals and left 182 injured. "Are you sure it was ISIS? Could you reconsider that?" a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry posed this question to representatives from the White House.

Russia is casting doubts on the United States' assertions that the Islamic State (ISIS) was behind the concert venue attack near Moscow, shifting the blame towards Ukraine, according to a Reuters report. Despite ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack and releasing a video of it, the United States has accepted this narrative.

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has raised questions about the Islamic State’s involvement, suggesting instead that Kyiv might have been behind the attack. "Note—a question for the White House: Are you sure it was ISIS? Could you reconsider?," she inquired in the "Komsomolskaya Pravda" newspaper. Zakharova believes the Americans are pushing the ISIS narrative to shield their "protégés" in Kyiv.

During a "Piknik" band concert at Crocus City Hall on Friday evening, four men stormed the venue and began shooting. In total, 137 people were killed and 182 were injured. By Sunday, suspects had been apprehended, including at least one individual from Tajikistan.

Reuters has reported that American officials, citing intelligence data, had previously warned Moscow about the possibility of an imminent terrorist attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a special appearance following the attack at Crocus City Hall but did not mention the Islamic fighters.

According to PAP, Putin echoed information initially released by the Federal Security Service, revealing that in connection with the attack, 11 individuals were detained. He also noted that the four direct assailants "attempted to flee and headed towards Ukraine," where they supposedly had "a window arranged for them to cross the border on the Ukrainian side." Kyiv has refuted any involvement in Friday's attack.

Source: Reuters, PAP, WP News