Russian investigators have claimed that they had uncovered evidence that the gunmen who killed more than 140 people in an attack on a concert hall near Moscow last week were linked to “Ukrainian nationalists.”
In a statement, the state investigative committee said for the first time that it had uncovered evidence of a Ukrainian link.
While it described the nature of the alleged evidence, it did not publish it.
“As a result of working with detained terrorists, studying the technical devices seized from them, and analysing information about financial transactions, evidence was obtained of their connection with Ukrainian nationalists,” the statement said.
It claimed the attackers had received significant amounts of cash and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, and that another suspect involved in terrorist financing had been detained.
Russia has said from the outset that it is pursuing a Ukrainian link to the attack, even though Kyiv has denied it and the militant group, Islamic State has claimed responsibility.
Eleven people were arrested in the first 24 hours after last Friday’s attack and eight of these, including the four suspected gunmen, have been placed in pre-trial detention. Seven are from Tajikistan and the other from Kyrgyzstan.
The U.S had publicly warned before the concert shooting that it had received intelligence of a possible attack by extremists in Russia. US officials say they believe it was Islamic State Khorasan, the network’s Afghan branch, that was responsible.
Russia says that it is suspicious that the U.S was able to name the alleged perpetrator of the attack so soon after it took place.
The Head of Russia’s FSB Security Service said earlier this week, again without providing evidence, that he believed Ukraine, along with the US and the UK, were involved.
Western security analysts have said that the attack raised questions about the resourcing and priorities of Russian intelligence agencies that have been heavily focused on the Ukraine war and the need to stamp out opposition to it within Russia.
U.S Dismisses Russia’s Claims Against Ukraine
Speaking shortly after the Russian investigators’ claim, White House National Security Spokesperson, John Kirby House dismissed Russia’s allegation that Ukraine was involved in the attack on the Crocus city concert hall.
Kirby described the Russian allegations as “nonsense and propaganda”, adding that the US had provided multiple advance warnings to Russian authorities of extremist attacks on concerts and large gatherings in Moscow.
“It is abundantly clear that ISIS (Islamic State) was solely responsible for the horrific attack in Moscow last week. In fact, the United States tried to help prevent this terrorist attack and the Kremlin knows this.”
John Kirby
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