Russia links concert shooting to ‘Ukrainian nationalists’

Russia has said from the outset that it believes Ukraine was linked to the attack

By Reuters
March 29, 2024
A view of the burnt-out Crocus City Hall near Moscow where gunmen killed more than 140 people on March 22, 2024 in an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.— AFP/File
A view of the burnt-out Crocus City Hall near Moscow where gunmen killed more than 140 people on March 22, 2024 in an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.— AFP/File 

MOSCOW: Russian investigators said on Thursday they had found proof that gunmen who killed more than 140 people at a concert last week were linked to “Ukrainian nationalists”, an assertion immediately dismissed by the United States as baseless propaganda.

Russia has said from the outset that it believes Ukraine was linked to the attack, even though Kyiv has denied it and the militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

In a statement, Russia’s Investigative Committee said for the first time that it had uncovered proof of a Ukrainian connection. 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,” it said.

It said there was “confirmed data” that the attackers had received significant amounts of cash and cryptocurrency from Ukraine for attacks. Another suspect involved in “the terrorists’ financing scheme” had been detained, the committee said.