Russia demands UN condemnation after Islamic State attack in Moscow
Maria Zakharova issued a brief statement after the tragic shooting at the Krokus concert hall in Moscow. The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry demanded that the UN condemn the attack. She also reacted to messages from the White House, levelling the usual accusations. Late in the evening, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Many reports by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.
The Islamic State claims it is responsible for the shooting at the Krokus concert hall, where 40 people were killed and at least 140 were injured. However, it did not provide any evidence to support its claim.
"Phones from all over the world from ordinary citizens, who offer condolences in connection with the horrific tragedy at the Krokus concert hall, are being directed to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They express their strong condemnation of the bloody terrorist attack which has shocked all humanity," wrote Maria Zakharova in a brief statement.
"Russia demands that the UN condemn the terrorist attack in the Krokus hall," she added. Similar words were uttered in the mouth of the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman during her television appearance on Rossija 24.
Zakharova challenges the White House: "Let them say"
The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry also addressed representatives of the White House, who stated that they had warned Vladimir Putin about the risk of terrorist attacks in Russia. Washington also assured that Ukrainians did not carry out the shooting at the Krokus hall.
"The White House stated that it sees no indications of the involvement of Ukraine or Ukrainians in the terrorist attack in Moscow. On what basis do officials in Washington draw conclusions about someone's innocence in the face of tragedy? If the United States possesses or had credible information in this matter, it should be immediately passed on to the Russian side. And if there is no such data, then the White House has no right to absolve anyone. As the Russian leadership has declared, all involved individuals will be identified by the competent authorities," wrote Zakharova on her Telegram profile.
USA warned of the attack
About two weeks ago, the US side warned Russian services that documents had been intercepted indicating that a terrorist attack on Russians by the so-called Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) - was being prepared - recalled Christo Grozew on Dozhd television.
The Meduza portal also recalls that on March 19 Vladimir Putin ignored warnings communicated to him by US diplomats about a planned terrorist attack on a crowded site in Moscow. The Russian dictator called the American warnings "the West's blackmail" and an attempt "to intimidate and destabilize our society".
Late in the evening, the Islamic State admitted to the attack.
