US, UK And Ukraine Behind Moscow Terror Attack,” claims Russian Intelligence chief

Defense News ,Russia :- In a startling revelation amidst the ongoing investigation into the Crocus City Hall attack, Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), asserted on Tuesday that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine are implicated in the terrorist assault, as reported by TASS.

Bortnikov stated, “We believe that this is true. In any case, we are now talking about the factual information we have. This is general information, but they have a long record of this sort,” following his participation in an expanded meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office board, where he was asked about the involvement of the US, Britain, and Ukraine in the attack.

Expanding on Ukraine's alleged role, Bortnikov claimed that Ukraine has been striving to demonstrate its capability. “What is it expected to do to demonstrate its capability? It is expected to carry out sabotage and terrorist acts in the rear. This is what both the chiefs of Ukraine’s special services and the British special services are aiming at. US special services have repeatedly mentioned this, too,” he remarked.

Highlighting a plethora of publicly available information, Bortnikov emphasized that there is substantial evidence indicating the intent of the West and Ukraine to inflict greater harm on Russia. He cited instances such as drone strikes, attacks by unmanned boats at sea, and incursions by groups of saboteurs and terrorist organizations into Russian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently insinuated a Ukrainian connection to the terror attack. Putin emphasized the need to ascertain who was expecting the perpetrators on the Ukrainian side and why they specifically headed there. “It is also necessary to answer the question – why the terrorists after committing the crime tried to head exactly to Ukraine, who was waiting for them there,” he stated. He further pointed out that those who support the Kiev regime do not want to be seen as accomplices of terror or sponsors of terrorism but stressed the need for answers to numerous questions surrounding the incident.

On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region. Armed assailants opened fire and detonated explosives, causing chaos and panic among the crowd.

The Islamic State (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

According to TASS, at least 139 people were killed, and 182 were injured in the attack.

Authorities have apprehended a total of 11 individuals suspected of involvement in the terrorist attack, including four gunmen who were captured in the Bryansk Region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to seek refuge by crossing the nearby Ukrainian border.

In a televised address, President Putin asserted that, based on preliminary information, the Ukrainian side had facilitated an entry point in the border specifically for the terrorists to cross undetected. He vowed to identify and punish all those responsible for the attack.

Putin attributed the attack to "radical Islamists" but also suggested Ukrainian involvement, insinuating a link to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

However, the White House has consistently stated that the terrorist attack at the concert hall in Moscow was carried out by ISIS at Crocus, and there is "no evidence" implicating the Ukrainian government in the attack.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed, “This was a terrorist attack that was conducted by ISIS. Mr. Putin understands that. He knows that very well. And look, there is absolutely no evidence that the government of Ukraine had anything to do with this attack.”