“Premature absolution”
Moscow resents US declaration of innocence for Kiev
March 23, 2024, 3:35 a.m
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A terrorist attack near Moscow claims at least 60 lives. Although the Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack, Russia is angry about Washington’s absolution for Ukraine.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized the US for quickly exonerating Ukraine as the possible mastermind of the attack on the Moscow concert hall. It raises questions if the US were to draw such conclusions while the tragedy was still unfolding. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said this on Russian television in the evening. “If the United States or any other country has reliable facts, they should provide them to the Russian side.” If there were no such facts, neither the White House nor anyone else would have the right to give advance absolution, Zakharova said.
According to preliminary information, more than 60 people were killed and 145 people were injured in the event center on the outskirts of Moscow when several gunmen fired wildly. The Foreign Ministry in Kiev rejected any suspicion of responsibility for Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a Russian war of aggression for two years. In an initial reaction, the USA also warned not to establish any connection with Ukraine. “There is no evidence that Ukraine or Ukrainians had anything to do with the shooting,” US National Security Council communications director John Kirby said in Washington.
Terror experts believe IS’s allegation is genuine
The terrorist militia Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on one of its channels that evening. Experts believe the letter of confession is genuine. Nevertheless, the background is still unclear. The Russian authorities are investigating terrorism. Before the IS statement, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev threatened on Telegram that Moscow would kill the Ukrainian leadership if it turned out that they were involved in the attack.
The USA recently warned of a possible terrorist attack in Russia. “We warned the Russians accordingly,” said an insider who wished to remain anonymous. The US also has intelligence information that confirms the Islamic State’s claim that it was responsible for the fatal shooting at a concert near Moscow. The US Embassy in Russia also publicly warned its citizens two weeks ago that “extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts.”