Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday spoke about the recent mass shooting in Moscow that killed about 144 people and claimed that Russia can’t be the target for Islamic fundamentalists. He added, “We have every reason to believe that the main goal of those who ordered the bloody, awful terrorist act in Moscow was to damage our unity.”
“There are no other goals visible, there are none, because Russia cannot be the target of terrorist attacks by Islamic fundamentalists. We are a country that demonstrates a unique example of interfaith harmony and unity, of inter-religious and inter-ethnic unity.”
Russia has repeatedly said the attack was ordered by Ukraine, while not providing evidence to back that assertion. Ukraine, however, has denied its involvement and the United States – which warned Russia beforehand of an impending attack by Islamist militants – has said Moscow’s version is nonsense.
(With inputs from Reuters)
