Russia investigates Ukraine link in Moscow concert hall attack
In the latest development regarding the March 22 massacre at a Moscow concert hall, Russian investigators disclosed that one of the attackers had pro-Ukrainian content on his phone.
Despite Daesh’s claims, Moscow has persistently attempted to associate Kyiv and the West with the attack, though both parties have denied involvement.
The assailants, hailing from Tajikistan, launched the assault on the Crocus City Hall, igniting chaos and claiming over 140 lives. Russian authorities have detained at least 14 people who are believed to have been involved in the concert hall attack, including four suspected gunmen.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said one of the suspected accomplices in the attack had sent his “handler” screenshots of Crocus City Hall’s entrances on Feb. 24, the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Moreover, photos retrieved from the same device depicted individuals draped in camouflage, brandishing the Ukrainian flag amid scenes of destruction.
“The defendant confirmed all of this in his testimony,” the investigators said.
“The probe is ongoing, including a series of investigative procedures and operational steps aimed at confirming the involvement of Ukrainian special services and international Islamist terrorist organizations in organizing and financing the terrorist act,” it added.
Last week, the Investigative Committee claimed to have obtained “verifiable” proof on the suspects’ phones that they had received “significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency” from Ukraine.
