Crocus City Hall shooting near Moscow "is a deliberate provocation by Russian special services" – Ukraine's intelligence
A shooting at the large concert center "Crocus City Hall" in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia, killed more than 12 people and injured at least 35.
Among the injured are three children aged 8 and 11. Most of the victims suffered gunshot wounds and carbon monoxide poisoning due to the fire that started after the attack. According to the Russian state-controlled media "RIA Novosti," at least three people in camouflage were involved in the shooting, Rubryka reports.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence spokesperson, Andrii Yusov, said in a comment to the national media Ukrinform that the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow is seen as a deliberate provocation by the Putin regime, as warned by the international community.
"This is a deliberate provocation by Russian special services. The aging Russian dictator Putin is beginning to repeat himself. He started his political career with such crimes and is now trying to end it with them," said Yusov.
According to the representative, the international community was "well informed about the preparation of such provocations and warned its citizens who are in the territory of Russia about the possibility of their implementation."
Yusov noted that today's attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure and civilian facilities and the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall are "a joint operation of Russian special services."
Ukrainian intelligence also does not rule out the possibility of similar terrorist attacks in Russia.
"Russian special services on the territory of the Russian Federation have the most experience in preparing and carrying out scenarios of terrorist attacks against their own population," said Yusov.
The US President's administration stated that there was no information suggesting Ukraine's involvement in today's shooting at the Crocus City Hall shopping center near Moscow.
"There is no evidence that Ukraine or Ukrainians are involved in this. It just happened, and we are monitoring it. But I assure you that there are no links to Ukraine," the White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby said during a briefing, responding to questions from journalists.
At the same time, Kirby said that he could not provide details about the incident at the moment. The White House is awaiting comments from Russian officials.
"The photos are horrific. It's hard to look at them. We sympathize with the victims of this horrific shooting. When you look at these videos, you realize that there are mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons who haven't seen this news yet. It will be a tough day. Our thoughts are with them," said Kirby.
On March 8, the US Embassy in Russia and the British Foreign Ministry warned of possible terrorist attacks in Moscow.
