Even as Islamic State says that it was behind the Moscow massacre, Putin ... trends now
Russian leader Vladimir Putin last night accused Ukraine of assisting the terrorists behind an attack on a Moscow theatre that left at least 133 dead – despite Islamic State claiming responsibility for the atrocity.
Four gunmen armed with automatic weapons and bombs launched a killing spree inside the Crocus City Hall theatre on Friday night. It is the worst terrorist attack in Russia for 20 years.
The massacre came two weeks after the US warned of an imminent attack in the Russian capital by extremists.
Within hours, Islamic State had issued a statement saying that it was behind the attacks and posted a picture of the gunmen on its social media channel. But in an angry national address yesterday, Putin pointed the finger at Ukraine.
The Russian leader claimed that the terrorists had fled the scene in a white Renault and travelled 248 miles south to the Bryansk region, where they were about to cross the border into Ukraine.
Russian president Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of assisting the terrorists behind the attack on the Crocus City Hall in Moscow last night
Pictured: One of the men detained who is accused of being involved in the attack
Rescuers working inside the Crocus City Hall a day after terrorists opened fire on crowds
The smouldering remains of the concert hall venue can be seen here a day after the horrific attack
A view shows the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow
A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall in the western suburbs of Moscow, 12 miles from the Kremlin
A picture from the scene last night shows the Crocus City Hall concert hall engulfed in flames as the venue is surrounded by emergency service crews
A video grab showing people evacuating the Crocus City Hall in the Russian capital, which was hosting a sold out concert by rock band Piknik
He said: 'They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border.'
Eleven people had been arrested, he added, including the four terrorists: 'The Russian Federal Security Service and other law enforcement agencies are working to identify and uncover the entire auxiliary base of the terrorists.
'Those who provided them with transport, plotted ways of getting away from the scene of the crime, prepared caches and hiding places with weapons and ammunition.'
But a spokesman for Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky angrily denied any involvement in the attacks, saying: 'Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods. Everything in this war will be decided only on the battlefield.'
Last night, US officials said that the claim of
