Russia says the United States is “covering up for Ukraine” by denying that Kiev was involved in the recent terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with RIA Novosti on Wednesday that Washington’s reaction to the terrorist attack shows a biased behavior.
“If Kiev had not actually been involved in the attack, Washington’s first reaction would have been to stress the need for an investigation.”
“They started crying, not calling for an investigation, but covering up for Ukraine. Their bias and involvement in this issue is evident.”
“They (the Americans) have exposed themselves.”
The chief of the Russian internal intelligence (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov has suggested that not only Ukraine, but also the US and Britain – Kiev’s main backers in the war – may have been behind the shooting.
He said the information on the matter was general, but that investigators already have “concrete results.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the attackers were caught fleeing “towards Ukraine where, according to preliminary data, a window to cross the border was prepared.”
The Russian Federal Security Service has also said the gunmen planned to travel to Ukraine, where they were to be welcomed as “heroes.” The FSB said Western intelligence services aided the attackers.
Four gunmen burst into Moscow’s Crocus City Hall on March 22 and began shooting at the people who attended an event.
At least 140 people were killed in the terrorist attack, the worst in Russia’s history since the early 2000s. Some 200 people were also injured.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement detained several suspects, including four directly involved in the attack.
Eleven people, including the assailants, have been detained and face terrorism charges.
