WASHINGTON: Ukraine had “no involvement whatsoever” in the massacre in a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 137 people, the White House firmly said on Sunday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a Kyiv connection.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, “ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever.” Watson referred to the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that there is “no” evidence of Ukrainian involvement in the incident. She affirmed that the militant group is responsible for what occurred.
The attack occurred when camouflaged gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall in Moscow’s northern suburb of Krasnogorsk, setting fire to the building. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was carried out by four of its fighters armed with various weapons.
Russian President Putin condemned the attack as a “barbaric terrorist attack” and vowed to punish those responsible. However, he did not acknowledge the Islamic State group’s claims of responsibility. Instead, Putin stated that four gunmen attempting to flee to Ukraine had been apprehended.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vehemently denied any connection to the attack, accusing Putin of attempting to shift blame onto Ukraine.
