The attack on concert goers in Moscow was horrific. There are over 130 dead and as many more wounded thus far. What does Putin do? Blames Ukraine even as ISIS-K has gleefully claimed responsibility.

In his address, the Russian dictator called the events in Crocus City Hall a “bloody and barbaric terrorist attack.” He then claimed that those involved in the shooting allegedly intended to travel to Ukraine, where, according to him, a “window” to exit the country had been prepared for them.

What’s important to know, as our friend Beege points out here, is that the U.S. and others had WARNED Putin that a terror attack was likely, and issued security alerts through their embassies. And what was Putin’s response? He arrogantly told everyone to go pound sand. 

Putin addressed the warnings a couple weeks later, criticizing the warning three days ago as “provocative.”

Per TASS, the Russian president said on March 19 the aim of “the recent provocative statements of a number of official Western structures about the possibility of terrorist attacks in Russia” was harming Russian society.

“All this resembles outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society,” Putin said, according to state media reporting on his remarks.

The US embassy issued another alert on Friday saying it was “aware” of the attack and urged Americans to avoid the area.

So now, with the Crocus Concert Hall in rubble along with parts of the shopping mall that was attached, hundreds dead and injured, what does Putin do? Blames Ukraine instead of acknowledging reality. 

The thing is, Putin was told of the strong likelihood of a terror attack. His arrogance got in the way of reality.

The State media report of Putin dismissing the terrorism warnings is still online.

Link to the archived copy in case it is deleted.

(Note Screenshot in my 1st tweet = machine translated)
Via @internetarchive @waybackmachine https://t.co/Rz86oIJsP1 pic.twitter.com/BfZpdPC5VP

— John Scott-Railton (@jsrailton) March 22, 2024

And reality bit hard directly in Moscow. The videos we see show a well-coordinated group of men calmly walking through and killing people.

NOBODY IS RUNNING. None of the gunmen are in any hurry. It's as if they're just sauntering through the lobby, maintaining clear and cover, doing clean-up and when they notice movement, someone DIES.
Ruthlessly and efficiently.
This is NOT a spazzy ad hoc militia attack.

These… https://t.co/0cwO1Dj940

— tree hugging s*ster 🎃 (@WelbornBeege) March 22, 2024

This wasn’t a random attack by any definition. 

Needless to say, ISIS-K, which we are learning has been reinvigorated and on the move since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, wasn’t pleased that Putin was trying to blame Ukraine. They want all the credit. 

ISIS has now released an additional Statement in which they claim Responsibility for the Terrorist Attack last night against the Crocus Concert Hall in the Russian Capital of Moscow; while also Posting a Picture of the Attackers only minutes before the Shooting began, in which… pic.twitter.com/zmsH9degmD

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 23, 2024

That doesn’t matter to Putin. It doesn’t matter to him that even those captured have been identified as members of the ISIS terrorist group with zero ties to Ukraine. The important thing for Putin in all his dictatorial arrogance is to set the narrative that the ONLY entity to blame is Ukraine. 

Despite this Attack pretty clearly being conducted by ISIS and having nothing to do with the War in Ukraine, the Russian Government appears to still be using it to Bolster-Support for their Invasion of Ukraine, with several Articles being released today by Russian Media…

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 23, 2024

Putin implicated Ukraine in this ISIS terror attack for another craven reason. He needs more Russians to sign up “volunteer” if you will to continue the fight against Ukraine.

This article details the mobilisation drive that Russia is pursuing

Russia's use of war rhetoric comes at a time when enthusiasm is drying up, one key enlistment centre in Moscow reports 20-30 arrivals a day instead of 500-600 in early 2023 https://t.co/FKYkWRGNgZ

— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) March 22, 2024

Putin can blame Ukraine all he wants. The reality is, he ignored detailed warnings of ISIS-K’s plans and now hundreds of Russians are dead or injured after the attack. 

His arrogance killed them. Not Ukraine. 

Feature Photo Credit: Original artwork by Victory Girls Darleen Click