Zelensky on Russia Terror Allegations: "Putin Shifts Blame to Ukraine"

Russian Lower House: "Evidence of Ukraine's Involvement Becoming Clear"

Regarding the shooting and arson terror attack that occurred on the 22nd (local time) in Moscow, the capital of Russia, Russia raised suspicions of Ukraine's involvement, prompting criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Zelensky said on Telegram on the night of the 23rd, "The trash like President Putin and others only try to blame others for what happened yesterday in Moscow," adding, "They always use the same tactics."

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a national address that the apprehended suspects "fled towards Ukraine," and "According to initial information, there was a channel on the Ukrainian side to cross the border."

President Zelensky responded, "They blame Ukraine while burning Ukrainian cities, and blame us while torturing and sexually assaulting our people." He continued, "President Putin remained silent for a day, then came up with a way to shift the blame to Ukraine instead of facing Russian citizens over this incident," raising the level of criticism by saying, "It is all predictably obvious."

Earlier, on the evening of the 22nd, terror suspects stormed the 'Crocus City Hall' concert venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow, indiscriminately shooting and setting fire to the building. As a result of this crime, a total of 133 people have died so far, with over 200 casualties.

On the same day, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that a total of 11 suspects, including 4 key terror suspects, were apprehended. Immediately after the incident, the Islamic extremist armed group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility, but Russia has raised suspicions that Ukraine may be connected to the terror attack.

Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, stated on Telegram, "Traces of Ukraine are becoming increasingly evident during the investigation of the terror attack," and claimed, "There is reason to believe that the brutal Kyiv regime hired terrorists."