Ukraine on Moscow shooting: "We don't know... It must be a Putin staged act"

Ukraine: "We are uninvolved... Russia's planned provocation"
Russia warns: "If Ukraine is behind it, death for death"

On the 22nd (local time), Ukraine stated that it has "no connection" to the indiscriminate shooting and fire that occurred at a large concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia.

Foreign media reported that Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the President of Ukraine, said through a video message shared on Telegram that "Ukraine is completely unrelated to these incidents."

He emphasized, "We are waging an all-out war against the Russian regular army and the Russian Federation," adding, "Everything will be decided on the battlefield."

Earlier on the evening of the 22nd, at least three armed assailants stormed the Crocus City Hall concert venue located on the northwest outskirts of Moscow, indiscriminately opening fire, which was followed by a large-scale fire.

The Crocus City Hall concert venue on the northwestern outskirts of Moscow where the shooting incident occurred [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, the United States stated, "At this time, there is no indication that Ukraine is involved in the shooting incident." John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, said at a briefing that day, "We mourn the victims of this horrific shooting and are working to gather more information."

Russia then questioned, "On what basis can anyone be confident of someone's innocence?" criticizing the U.S. response. It further warned, "If Ukraine is behind this, they will all be mercilessly destroyed."

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, emphasized on Telegram, "There is no other way to deal with terrorists," adding, "Death for death." He also stated, "Representatives of the country that committed such crimes will also be subject to punishment."

However, Ukraine has also claimed that this tragedy is a staged provocation by Russia.

AFP reported that Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Telegram that "the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation carried out by Russian special agencies under the orders of Vladimir Putin."

Meanwhile, Russian local media reported that the provisional death toll has reached 62, with at least 146 injured. According to Russian authorities, children are among the deceased, and several children were also injured in the shooting.