Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has issued a statement claiming that the terrorists involved in the Moscow Crocus City attack were planning to cross the border with Ukraine, and that they had “contacts” on the Ukrainian side.
Ukraine has called the accusation “absurd”.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence directorate – Andriy Yusov – told the BBC that the border area with Ukraine is “full of special services and military. Also the latest events in Belgorod region and Kursk – where there is military activity – mean this is a frontline”.
“To suggest the suspects were heading to Ukraine, would suggest they were stupid or suicidal.”
Last night, Ukrainian military intelligence claimed the whole attack was a planned operation by Moscow, in order to blame Ukraine – escalate the war – and get support for mobilising (a reluctant) population to fight.
Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, says the number of victims in the attack on Crocus Concert Hall could still “rise significantly”.
As a reminder, at least 115 people are known to have been killed in the attack.
More than 140 others were wounded and 16 of those people are still in an “extremely serious condition”, including one child, Russian authorities say.
Another 44 people are in serious condition, with a total of 107 victims being treated at hospital, the ministry says.
A phone line has also been opened for relatives of victims to find the “location and condition of relatives hospitalised in Moscow city medical institutions”, Russia’s state-owned news agency Tass is reporting.
