On Thursday, Russian officials claimed to possess evidence linking the perpetrators of the recent concert hall massacre near Moscow to “Ukrainian nationalists.”
Despite an Islamic State affiliate claiming responsibility, President Vladimir Putin and his security services insist on implicating Ukraine and the West in the attack.
Putin announced the detention of 11 individuals following the assault at Crocus City Hall, where gunmen set the venue ablaze, resulting in the deaths of at least 143 people.
Russia’s Investigative Committee asserted that through interrogation of the detained individuals, examination of seized technical devices, and analysis of financial transactions, they uncovered ties to Ukrainian nationalists.
The committee alleged that the suspects received substantial sums of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, and identified and detained another individual involved in financing the terrorists.
They plan to request his remand in custody from the court.
Despite Russia’s claims, Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed the accusations as baseless.
