NewsUS responds to Moscow tragedy, denies Ukraine involvement
US responds to Moscow tragedy, denies Ukraine involvement
23 March 2024 08:03
"At this moment, nothing indicates that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in this shooting," said John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, during a press conference. This statement marks the initial reaction of the United States to the incidents in Moscow. Not long afterwards, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, though no proof has been presented to support this claim.
John Kirby also expressed his condolences to those affected by the attack. News regarding the Moscow incidents emerged just moments before the daily briefing at the White House. "Our thoughts are clearly with the victims of this dreadful attack," he remarked.
The White House briefing began with a focus on the events in Moscow. Kirby mentioned that he was not yet in a position to discuss all the case details, but he described the images as "just horrible."
"It's hard to watch," he added. Videos from Moscow have been circulating on social media for several hours, displaying armed individuals storming a concert hall on the outskirts of the city and randomly firing at people. At least 72 people lost their lives, and more than 140 were injured.
It is important to note that earlier in the month, the US embassy in Moscow released a warning for US citizens to avoid crowded areas in Russia due to the potential threat of terrorist acts targeting large groups, including concerts, for example.
Last Friday, Kirby was questioned about the alert issued a few weeks prior. He found it challenging to link that general warning directly with this specific attack.
In response to inquiries about whether Washington had any forewarning of the planned attack, Kirby stated decisively: "We had no knowledge about this terrible attack."
Later that evening, the Islamic State again claimed responsibility for the attack, but there remains no evidence to corroborate this claim.
