Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Ukraine may have been involved in the recent attack on a concert hall outside Moscow. During a televised meeting, Putin stated that “radical Islamists” were responsible for the attack, but also questioned why the terrorists attempted to flee to Ukraine after committing the crime. However, Putin did not provide any evidence to support his claims.
The attack, which occurred last week, saw camouflaged gunmen storm into Crocus City Hall, opening fire on concert-goers and setting the building ablaze. The incident resulted in the death of at least 137 people. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province, an affiliate of ISIL, claimed responsibility for the attack, and both US intelligence and French President Emmanuel Macron have supported this claim.
While the investigation into the attack is ongoing, four suspects, identified as Tajik nationals, have been charged with carrying out a “terrorist” attack. However, concerns have been raised about their physical condition, as they showed signs of severe beatings during their court appearance. Civil liberties groups have criticized this as an indication of Russia’s poor human rights record under Putin.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has promised that the perpetrators will be punished and stated that they do not deserve mercy. Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, went further, urging authorities to “kill them all.”
The concert hall attack left over 180 people injured, with 97 still hospitalized. The search for victims will continue until at least Tuesday afternoon. Security has been heightened in Moscow, with multiple security alerts and evacuations in shopping malls.
