Putin's statements about the Crocus attack expose contradictions in Russia: ISW points out the main problems

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's speech at a meeting of the Russian Interior Ministry board on April 2 highlighted Russia's inconsistent response to the March 22 terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall. This inconsistency is manifested in the fact that the Russian authorities are simultaneously taking law enforcement measures against migrant communities, but at the same time deliberately falsely accusing Ukraine of the attack.

This was reported by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Putin said that the Russian authorities are analyzing the actions of all Russian law enforcement, management, supervisory services and commercial organizations responsible for the Crocus City Hall concert hall, and pointed out to the Interior Ministry the need to strengthen security measures and emergency preparedness in crowded places.

Putin explicitly asserted that the Interior Ministry must address several outstanding issues, including the response to extremist groups, likely to prevent possible criticism that Russian intelligence services failed to prevent the attack on Crocus City Hall, especially amid reports that Russia ignored international warnings, including from its allies, about the attack. Putin and other Kremlin officials attempted to coordinate information operations aimed at blaming Ukraine and the West for the attack.

Russian dictator Putin continued to speculate about possible other beneficiaries of the attack that the Interior Ministry should investigate, but Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev continued to make baseless accusations against Ukraine, portraying it as a potential criminal and terrorist threat to Russia.

On April 1, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) falsely claimed that the United States was trying to hide Ukraine's responsibility for the attack on Crocus City Hall, including by blaming the attack on the Afghan branch of the Islamic State of Khorasan, ISIS.

The response of Russian law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the North Caucasus, including the anti-terrorist operation in Dagestan on March 31 and the crackdown on Central Asian migrants in Russia, further confirms that the Russian authorities believe that the terrorist threat comes from Central Asia and Russia, not Ukraine.

At the same time, the Kremlin will continue its efforts to use domestic fear and outrage over the attack to foster the belief that Ukraine and the West are involved in the attack on Crocus City Hall, as well as in widespread alleged "terrorist" acts in Russia. The purpose of this is to strengthen Russia's domestic support for the war against Ukraine. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War remain convinced that the attack on Crocus City Hall was carried out by ISIS, and there is still no independent report or evidence to suggest that anyone other than ISIS was responsible for or assisted in the attack.

Earlier it was reported that Russia's foreign intelligence service is stepping up its efforts to falsely accuse Ukraine of the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall near Moscow on March 22. The aggressor country deliberately denies any responsibility or involvement of the Islamic State in the attack.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, some Kremlin versions of the Crocus terrorist attack do not stand up to criticism. The aggressor country claims not only a "Ukrainian trace" but also implicates Tajiks in the attack.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!