In a shocking turn of events, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has suggested that Ukraine could have been behind the recent terror attack on a concert hall near Moscow. This statement comes after Putin acknowledged that “radical Islamists” were responsible for the attack, which claimed the lives of at least 139 people.
During a publicly broadcast meeting with government officials, Putin stated, “This atrocity can be just an element in a series of attempts of those who have been at war with our country since 2014,” referring to the Ukrainian government. He raised questions about the four suspects in the attack being captured in a part of Russia that borders Ukraine.
Despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the attack, Russian state media has been pushing the narrative that Ukraine was involved. However, both the U.S. and France have attributed the attack to an Islamic State entity, and Ukraine has denied any involvement. Russian investigators have not provided any evidence linking the suspects, migrant workers from Tajikistan, to Ukraine.
The suspects appeared battered during their arraignment, and videos of them being tortured and beaten during interrogation circulated widely on Russian social media. A New York Times visual investigation has linked them to the attack.
This development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation into the terror attack, raising questions about the potential involvement of Ukraine. The situation continues to unfold as more information comes to light.
