US warned Russia about terror threat before attack
WASHINGTON – The U.S. warned Russia “in writing” two weeks before the terrorist attack at the Moscow concert venue that left at least 143 dead, the White House said Thursday.
John Kirby, a White House spokesman on national security, condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for blaming others even after the Islamic State, or ISIS, claimed responsibility. He said the U.S. warned Russian officials about the terrorism threat in their country before the massacre.
Russian officials have “sought to deflect blame onto Ukraine, the United States and everyone else who suits their political narratives,” Kirby said in a call with reporters.
“It’s abundantly clear that ISIS was solely responsible for the horrific terrorist attack in Moscow last week,” Kirby continued. “In fact, United States tried to help prevent this terrorist attack, and the Kremlin knows this.”
Ahead of the March 22 attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, Kirby said the U.S. provided “clear, detailed information” about a terrorist threat at large gatherings and concerts in the Russian capital.
He said the first correspondence was made March 7 to Russian security services.
Russian news outlet SHOT published a video of an exchange in which a reporter asked Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, whether it was “ISIS (Islamic State) or Ukraine?” according to Reuters.
“Of course Ukraine,” Patrushev replied. Asked about the remark later, he said there were “many” indications of Ukrainian involvement.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denied the accusations.
“Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia). It makes no sense whatsoever,” Podolyak wrote on X on March 22.
On the same day, Russia launched the largest wave of missiles and Iranian-supplied drones against Ukrainian cities since the war began. The attack left more than 1 million homes without electricity.