The suspected gunmen “tried to hide and moved toward Ukraine,” Russian president says in televised address. Kyiv denies any involvement.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Saturday suggested that terrorists who killed at least 133 people in Friday night’s attack at a Moscow concert hall were helped by someone based in Ukraine, without providing evidence.

Ukrainian officials have denied any involvement in the massacre, for which Islamic State has claimed responsibility. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Russian soil in recent years.

Putin said 11 people have been detained in the killings, including the four gunmen. “They tried to hide and moved toward Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the border,” Putin said in a speech on Russian television Saturday.

  • GBU_28@lemm.ee
    cake
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    3 months ago

    Wouldn’t potential reprisals happen in Syria?

    • GrymEdm@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      edit-2
      3 months ago

      I don’t know - it’s possible as I’ve heard of Islamic State being linked to several nations. However, OP’s article mentions Afghanistan specifically:

      “A U.S. intelligence official told The Associated Press that U.S. intelligence agencies had learned the group’s branch in Afghanistan was planning an attack in Moscow and shared the information with Russian officials.”

    • barsoap@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 months ago

      Syria, or more precisely supporting Assad to ensure they keep their port, is why Russia is in ISIS’ crosshairs. Why wouldn’t ISIS strike in Moscow if they get the chance?