Kremlin investigations and Kyiv's denial: Tensions rise after Moscow attack
The Kremlin authorities are investigating the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue. The head of the Russian Federal Security Service, Aleksandr Bortnikov, announced new findings by the services.
Much information provided by Russian state media or Kremlin officials is likely untrue. Such reports could be an element of information warfare by the Russian Federation.
On 22 March, an attack occurred at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. At least 145 people were killed, and over 550 were injured.
The terrorist organization Islamic State of Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack. Russian law enforcement agencies announced shortly afterwards that they had apprehended four alleged perpetrators of the attack, citizens of Tajikistan. Kremlin propaganda is attempting to blame Kyiv for the attack, arguing that the perpetrators supposedly planned to flee to Ukraine.
On Friday, at a meeting of the Council of Security and Special Services Chiefs, the FSB director informed about new findings by Russian services. "The investigation is ongoing, but I can already say with confidence that Ukraine’s military intelligence was directly involved in that attack," said Aleksandr Bortnikov, quoted by the Kremlin's TASS agency.
He added that he could have assured that the circumstances of the attack would be determined and that all those involved would be punished.
Attack in Russia: A firm response from Kyiv
Immediately after the attack, Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the matter. "What happened yesterday in Moscow is obvious: Putin and the other scum are just trying to blame it on someone else," said the President of Ukraine.
"They always have the same methods. This happened before. And there were houses blown up, executions, and explosions. And they always blame others. They came to Ukraine, burned our cities, and tried to blame Ukraine," he added.
