Washington (Union)
Yesterday, the White House rejected Russia's accusation that Ukraine was involved in the attack on the Crocus City concert hall near Moscow, saying that it was clear that ISIS was “solely responsible.”
The attack resulted in the deaths of more than 140 people.
John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said during a briefing with reporters that Washington had conveyed a written warning to the Russian security services of an extremist attack, which is one of many warnings provided to Moscow in advance.
Kirby added: “It is very clear that ISIS is solely responsible for the horrific attack in Moscow last week. In fact, the United States tried to help prevent this terrorist attack and the Kremlin knows this.”
Kirby's statements came shortly after the Russian Investigative Committee announced that it had uncovered evidence that the four gunmen who carried out the attack last Friday had ties to “Ukrainian nationalists” and that they had received sums of money and cryptocurrencies from Ukraine.
He said that the United States had provided several warnings in advance to the Russian authorities about attacks by extremists on large parties and gatherings in Moscow, including a written warning on March 7 at 11:15 a.m. to the Russian security services.
Kirby added that Washington provided “following standard procedures and through established channels used many times before, a written warning to the Russian security services.”
Yesterday, Russia announced that it has “evidence” that the perpetrators of the attack that killed 143 people near Moscow had links to “Ukrainian nationalists.”
ISIS claimed responsibility for this attack, but Russian officials confirm there is a link to Ukraine.
However, Kiev and its allies deny any involvement in this attack.
In this context, the Investigative Committee, the body responsible for the main criminal investigations in Russia, confirmed yesterday that it has elements proving Ukrainian involvement, as it put it.
The committee said via Telegram, “Working with the detained terrorists, examining the technical devices confiscated from them, and analyzing information related to financial transactions made it possible to obtain evidence of their links to Ukrainian nationalists.”
Also, investigators announced the arrest of a new suspect accused of participating in “financing” the attack.
The authorities had previously announced the arrest of 11 people, including the four suspected attackers. Eight of them were charged and remanded in custody.
#Washington #refuses #accuse #Ukraine #responsibility #Moscow #attack