US tip-off stops attack on Russia church

MOSCOW: A United States tip-off about a planned attack in St Petersburg saved many lives, and Russia and the US should try to cooperate in the same way in future, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday.

Washington provided intelligence to Russia that helped thwart a potentially deadly bombing, US and Russian officials said on Sunday, in a rare public show of cooperation despite deep strains between the two countries.

“It cannot be called anything but an ideal example of cooperation in fighting terrorism,” Peskov said. “We should aim for such standards.”

The tip-off resulted in the detention of seven alleged supporters of the Islamic State in St Petersburg last week, he said.

The foiled attack was to have been carried out on Kazansky Cathedral in St Petersburg, and on other locations in the city where large numbers of people gather, the Kremlin said. The cathedral is a popular tourist site.

Russia’s Federal Security Service on Friday said IS had planned attacks in public places on Dec 16, and weapons and explosives were found when the suspects were searched.

Peskov said Russian and US security services had contacts, but this was the first time their cooperation was so efficient.

“This was very meaningful information that helped save many lives.” Reuters