Russian President Vladimir Putin says the terrorist attack, which took place at the Crocos City shopping mall on the outskirts of Moscow, is a link in a whole series of attempts by those fighting Russia since 2014 at the hands of the neo-Nazi regime of Kiev.
“Work is underway to raise a new (Hitler youth) in Ukraine,” Putin said in a speech at a meeting on measures taken after the terrorist attack, adding: “Our armed forces take the initiative along the entire line of contact.”
The Russian president thanked all those who helped the victims of the terrorist attack, and said: “Dear colleagues, I would like first of all to express once again my deep condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the brutal and bloody terrorist attack on March 22, in the attack on the Crocus complex.”
Putin stressed that Russian society has shown a model of genuine solidarity, unity and mutual support after the terrorist act. “We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the terrorist attack in Crocus and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded,” he said.
The Russian president pointed out that those who planned the terrorist attack in Crocus wanted to sow panic and chaos in society, but they met unity and determination to resist.
Putin said the terrorist attack was carried out by radical Islamists, explaining: “We know that the crime was committed by radical Islamists, whose ideology the Islamic world itself has been fighting for centuries.”
The Russian president added that despite the general pain, sadness, and legitimate desire to punish terrorists, the investigation must be conducted objectively and impartially.
Putin explained that America is trying in different ways to convince everyone that there is no trace of Kiev in the bloody terrorist attack, and that ISIS (banned in Russia) is responsible, stressing that it is quite clear that the terrible crime in “Crocus” is an act of intimidation and the most important question of the beneficiary.
“The question of the terrorists’ attempt to go to Ukraine after the crime and who was waiting for them there must be answered,” Putin said.
The terrorist attack in Crocus City killed 133 people and wounded at least 154 others, including children, as final official data on the number of victims has not yet been released.
Russian security forces succeeded in apprehending the perpetrators of the crime, in record time, while trying to flee to Ukraine, where they are currently on trial, while the security authorities are pursuing the investigation to find all those involved in the attack.
Turkish security arrests 40 suspects linked to one of the perpetrators of the “Crocos” attack