Russia Surprised White House Statement Ukraine Not Involved In Mass Shooting In Focus Moscow

UNSPLASH/Tabrez Syed White House/ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Russian authorities question the statement of the United States (US) White House regarding Ukraine not being involved in mass shootings at the Crocus City Hall concert building, Krasnogorsk, Moscow.

Russia says if the United States knows for sure Ukraine was not involved in a mass shooting incident at the Crocus concert building, Washington should share any information it has.

White House spokesman John Kirby said earlier on Friday, March 23, there was no indication that Ukraine and Ukrainians were involved.

The White House said it saw no signs that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in a terrorist attack in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by Reuters on Saturday, March 23.

"On what basis do officials in Washington draw conclusions amid a tragedy about a person's innocence?"

Zakharova said if Washington had any information, then the information should be shared and if Washington has no information, then they should not speak in such a way.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received the latest information from the head of security about the situation, including from Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Kremlin said.

Meanwhile, quoted by CNN from the state news agency RIA-Novosti, Putin hopes that the injured victims as a result of the attack will recover soon. Putin also "expressed his gratitude to the doctors," added RIA.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack near the City Hall of Crocus before the rock band's appearance, Picnic, as reported by the Amaq news agency. The latest data shows that 60 Russian investigators have killed.

Russian media published a photo of two suspected attackers in a white car. The gunmen are reportedly still at large.

The attack on the Crocus City Hall area, about 20 km (12 miles) from the Kremlin, comes just two weeks after the US embassy in Russia warned it had plans to carry out an attack in Moscow.

Hours before the warning was issued by the embassy, the Russian Federal Security Service/FSB said it had thwarted an attack on Moscow by the Islamic State group.