The Russians, destroyed after the bloody friday attack in a Moscow concert hall, they claim to be united in their grief, but opinions are divided on the Kremlin’s version, which appears to blame Ukraine.
The attack carried out by armed men on Friday night, which claimed the lives of at least 137 people, was claimed by the Islamic State (IS).
However, the Kremlin has not yet mentioned the responsibility of the jihadist group and insists that the four alleged assailants, who were detained, tried to flee to Ukraine, a country where it launched an offensive in February 2022.
On the streets of Moscow, many refuse to talk about this sensitive topic but Vamig Aliev, a medical student with Muslim parents, agrees to do so.
“I believe that behind this terrorist act are the IS extremist Islamists. Ukraine also commits terrorist acts, but this is more in line with what Islamists do”explains the 22-year-old, who claims to be a regular at Crocus City Hall.
“I don’t believe the version of Ukraine’s involvement, even after what the president said”Putin insists.
Despite the disagreement, he considers that the tragedy has been a factor of unity.
“These events unite us so that we can overcome obstacles together”Vamig adds. ““It doesn’t surprise me (the support of Westerners who denounced the attack), nobody likes terrorists.”
All means are valid
Ruslana Baranovskaia, a 35-year-old jurist, is still very moved and in “state of shock”. However, he questions the fact that the Russian authorities, who always boast of their security arrangements, were unable to prevent the tragedy.
Especially considering that some Western powers warned Moscow and its citizens in Russia from the risk of attack.
“The United States and the United Kingdom had warned their nationals, why didn’t our special services know anything?“, ask.
On Tuesday, three days before the attack, Vladimir Putin denounced the warnings “provocative” from the United States and “a desire to intimidate and destabilize” to Russian society.
On Sunday, Washington reiterated that “The Islamic State is fully responsible for this attack“and he said he didn’t see”“no Ukrainian involvement.”
“In early March, the US government shared information with Russia about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow.“said a White House spokeswoman.
“I do not feel secure. That someone could come out and kill me, it’s scary.”Baranovskaia admits.
However, others see kyiv’s involvement as plausible. The Russian authorities do not stop labeling Ukraine as being led by “Nazis” or to carry out “terrorist attacks”, in order to justify the assault launched in this country.
Valeri Chernov, 52, points out that the attack on the Crocus City Hall will make the whole worldunderstand that the front is not only in one part of Russia, but in the entire country.”
“Some had not understood that there is a war and that all means are valid”says this merchant.
“Who’s behind? The enemies of Russia and Putin who seek to destabilize power. It is really possible (that it is) Ukraine and the West. I don’t rule out anything. It is possible that they have used ISIS to divert the attention of the population”, he adds.
This week, the Kremlin acknowledged that the country is in “war” in Ukraine, a word whose use he had banned, preferring the term “special military operation”.
Source: Gestion
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