Kremlin blames US, Ukraine for jihadist attack near Moscow: US refutes

The Kremlin is trying to blame the USA and Ukraine for the jihadist attack near Moscow. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the false statements made by Russian dignitaries.

Many of the statements made by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.

"The United States has shared clear and current information with the Russian authorities to prevent the attack and save innocent lives. Russian attempts to shift the blame onto others are nonsensical," Matthew Miller wrote on the X service.

The State Department spokesperson published a recording in which he presented the White House's stance.

- I've seen some of those comments, just like the statements from President Putin and others, claiming that a range of countries were behind this terrorist attack. I think it's clear that these allegations are categorically false. And I think the Russian government knows that these allegations are categorically false - said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

He was asked, among other things, about comments made by the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who expressed doubt that ISIS terrorists were responsible for the attack. She stated that the quick attribution of responsibility by the United States to jihadists is "in itself incriminating evidence" against the USA. Similar claims were also made by Vladimir Putin himself, as well as by the secretary of the Russian Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev.

- The United Kingdom was not behind this attack. The United States was not behind this attack. Indeed, the United States warned Russia about the possibility of these attacks in advance - reminded the spokesperson.

- So, these comments from several Kremlin officials are irresponsible. They are also cynical because it's another example of how President Putin and the rest of his team use national tragedy to try to justify their illegal war against Ukraine - he added.

On March 22, terrorists attacked the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. Gunfire was opened on spectators, and explosive devices detonated, causing a fire and leading the building's roof to collapse.

The Federal Center for Disaster Medicine reported that the number of injured in the attack on Crocus City Hall near Moscow rose from 180 to approximately 360 people, including 11 children. The death toll is about 140 people. On Tuesday, Russian media speculated that the precise number of deceased might be impossible to determine, as many bodies were completely burned in the fire.

The Islamic State of Khorasan Province, the Afghan wing of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS), claimed responsibility for the attack.

Russian law enforcement announced that four perpetrators of the attack, citizens of Tajikistan, as well as several of their alleged accomplices, were captured. A court in Moscow decided to detain these individuals until May 22 while awaiting trial.

Source: X/PAP/WP