Putin implicates Kyiv in Krasnogorsk attack amid claims of radical Islamist involvement

On Monday evening, Vladimir Putin stated that the attack in Krasnogorsk was carried out "by the hands of radical Islamists". He also insinuated, in line with the Kremlin's chosen propaganda direction, that Kyiv might be behind the attacks. "We are interested in who the contractor of the Islamists is," he said.

Attention! Many of the reports about alleged attacks and aggression from the Ukrainian side and the course of the war, which are provided by Russian and Belarusian state media, are likely not true. Such reports may be part of the information war by the Russian Federation.

Putin met on Monday evening with representatives of security services and local authorities of Moscow and the Moscow region. He pointed out that "the involvement of Islamists in the Krasnogorsk attack must be clarified".

"We know that the crime was committed by the hands of radical Islamists, whose ideology has been fought against by the Muslim world for centuries. We understand by whose hands the crime against Russia and its citizens was committed. We are keen to know who is the contractor," he said.

He then immediately suggested - although without any evidence - that Kyiv might be behind the attack near Moscow.

"It is also necessary to question why the terrorists attempted to head to Ukraine after committing the crime, and who was waiting for them there," said the Russian leader.

And he delivered a jab towards the West. "It is clear that those who support the regime in Kyiv do not wish to be seen as accomplices of terror and sponsors of terrorism. But indeed, many questions remain," insinuated the Russian leader further.

"The terrorist attack in Crocus Hall quite logically fits into the campaign of intimidation conducted by Kyiv," assessed Putin.

In the Saturday attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, at least 139 people were killed, and over 180 were injured. Authorities have stated that search operations in the destroyed building will continue at least until Tuesday evening.

The Islamic State has admitted to the attack, and this claim is backed by American intelligence, but Putin did not refer to this in his speech at the meeting with government officials.

The four alleged perpetrators, who were detained on Sunday for two months by the court, are, according to Russian media, Tajiks. At least two of them have confessed to their guilt, although photos showing signs of torture raise doubts about whether their statements were made under duress.

The Russian Federal Security Service has reported that seven other suspects have also been detained. Three of them were arrested by the court on Monday.

Source: TASS/PAP