Putin Blames ‘Radical Islamists’ for Moscow Attack, Points Finger at Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow was carried out by Islamic extremists but claimed that there is suspicion of Ukrainian involvement.

According to Bloomberg News on the 25th (local time), Putin stated at a meeting of the Security Council attended by the investigative authorities and the heads of security agencies, “We know that the crime was committed by the hands of radical Islamists,” regarding the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall. For the first time, he blamed Islamist militants for the deadly attack.

However, Putin persists in seeking to tie Ukraine to this terrorist attack. He said, “We want to know who ordered it. This cruel act could be related to a series of conspiracies by Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia.” He linked the attack to ongoing tensions on the Ukrainian border; he said, “Terrorist attacks in Moscow, like other threatening acts, logically coincide with this trend.”

The terrorist incident occurred at a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, a Moscow suburb, on the 22nd, resulting in 139 deaths and 182 injuries, according to the Russian Federal Investigation Committee. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ukraine is completely denying any involvement with the terrorist attack at the Moscow concert hall. However, Putin’s statements suggest a potential escalation of tensions with Ukraine amid these accusations.