Russia says it's hard to believe IS could carry out terrorist attack in Moscow

Ms Zakharova echoed Moscow's assertions, but they have yet to provide evidence that Ukraine was behind the bloodiest attack Russia has suffered in 20 years.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova attends the annual news conference held by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, January 18, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Russia's Emergencies Ministry released a list of names showing 143 people were killed in last Friday's mass shooting. Official figures had previously put the death toll at 139.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the massacre and US officials say they have intelligence suggesting it was carried out by the network's Afghanistan branch, Islamic State Khorasan. Ukraine has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attack.

But Zakharova said the West had been quick to place responsibility on the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attack was carried out by Islamist rebels but suggested it was in Ukraine's interests and Kiev may have had a role.

He said someone on the Ukrainian side had prepared a "window" for the gunmen to escape across the border before they were captured in western Russia on Friday evening.

However, on Tuesday, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said the gunmen initially tried to enter his country before leaving and heading towards Ukraine after they realised that the crossings into Belarus had been sealed.

The head of Russia's FSB security service said on Tuesday he believed Ukraine, along with the United States and Britain, were involved in the attack in Moscow.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron responded on social media platform X, saying: "Russia's claims to the West and Ukraine about the Crocus attack are complete nonsense."

The head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, told a security conference in Kiev that he believed Russian authorities had known about preparations for a major offensive since at least mid-February.

Mai Van (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-noi-kho-tin-is-co-the-tien-hanh-vu-khung-bo-o-moscow-post77152.html