Top Russian officials have openly blamed Ukraine and Western intelligence for supporting the Islamic State (IS) group in executing a fatal assault on a Moscow concert venue, despite IS’s claim of responsibility.
This accusation has been met with denial from Ukraine, dismissing Russia’s claims as baseless. The attack, which resulted in the death of 139 individuals and left 22 in critical condition, saw the apprehension of four Tajik nationals for their involvement, with additional suspects accused of facilitating terrorism.
These allegations come despite prior warnings from the US about a potential attack, suggesting an imminent threat 15 days before the incident occurred. Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with his close advisors, has insinuated that the attackers received assistance from Ukraine, a notion Ukraine’s presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak rejects, citing the irrefutable evidence of the assailants’ identities and the Russian security services’ failure.
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Western nations have dismissed the Kremlin’s narrative, emphasizing IS’s sole responsibility for the attack. The dispute underscores the deepening rift between Russia and the West, with both sides presenting conflicting interpretations of the events leading up to and following the attack. This incident has reignited concerns over jihadist threats in Western Europe, particularly in light of upcoming major international sporting events, prompting heightened security measures across several European countries.
