Russia: "Moscow concert hall terror organized by IS... Ukraine also involved"

Russia has identified the Islamic State (IS) and Ukraine as the masterminds behind the March terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 24th (local time), Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), stated at the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) security chiefs meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, that "the preparation, funding, execution, and withdrawal of the terrorists were coordinated via the internet by ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State." This is the first time Russia has publicly stated that IS organized the attack.

[Image source=TASS Yonhap News]

Earlier, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack immediately after it occurred, but Russia has continuously raised the possibility of Ukrainian involvement. Ukraine denies any connection to the attack.

Bortnikov reiterated the claim that Ukraine was directly involved in the attack. He emphasized, "The terrorists received clear instructions to move to the Ukrainian border immediately after completing the attack," adding, "Although the investigation is ongoing, it can already be stated with certainty that Ukrainian military intelligence agencies were directly involved in this attack."

He also added, "NATO allies are encouraging mercenaries and armed forces from international terrorist organizations to move from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan to Ukraine to fight against Russian forces."

Bortnikov claimed that one of the goals of the perpetrators of this attack was to exploit religious and national factors to damage relations among CIS countries. He further explained that more than 20 people have been detained on suspicion of directly carrying out or being involved in the attack. Most of those detained have been identified as Tajik nationals, prompting Russia to implement precautionary measures against migrant workers from Central Asia.