Russian Authorities Identify Key Figures Behind Crocus Attack

The director of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, has stated that the preparation, funding, execution, and escape of the attackers on "Crocus City Hall" were coordinated by members of the "Vilayat Khorasan," a branch of the ISIS terrorist organization banned in Russia. He emphasized that, while the investigation is ongoing, there is strong evidence suggesting that Ukrainian military intelligence is involved in the terrorism.

Bortnikov mentioned, "It has been established that the terrorists' preparatory actions, funding, execution, and escape were coordinated through the internet by members of the 'Vilayat Khorasan' group located in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Two of the four participants in the attack arrived in Russia from Turkey shortly before the incident."

As evidence of Ukraine's involvement in the terrorist act at Crocus, the FSB head stated that after the attack, the assailants "received explicit instructions to move towards the Ukrainian border," where a so-called "window" had reportedly been prepared for them.

Bortnikov noted that over 20 individuals have already been arrested in connection with the terrorist act, including the attackers and accomplices. He thanked the CIS partners (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) for their support in investigating the terrorism at Crocus.

The FSB chief asserted that the masterminds behind the Crocus attack intended to harm the relations between CIS countries. Kamchibek Tashiev, head of Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee, present at the meeting, remarked that the terrorism could be seen as one of the most pressing issues of our time and a threat to the entire system of international security.

The terrorist act at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region occurred on March 22, resulting in 144 deaths and injuring another 551 people. Four alleged perpetrators—Dalerjon Mirzoev, Saidakram Rahabalizod, Shamsiddin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Faizov—have been arrested. Subsequently, other alleged accomplices of the attackers were also detained. Both Ukraine and the United States have repeatedly denied their involvement in the terrorism.