Alleged evidence has indicated that "Ukrainian nationalists" orchestrated the attack on the Moscow concert hall and financed the perpetrators through cryptocurrency payments from Ukraine, media reports said citing Russia's committee investigating the tragedy. incident that took place on March 22.
Additionally, Russian authorities reported on Friday (March 29) that they had detained three people for allegedly planning another attack in the southern part of the country. This is separate from the previous attack on the Crocus Town Hall in the suburbs of Krasnogorsk that claimed almost 144 lives. The hall was located about 20 kilometers west of the Kremlin.
In connection with the latest attack foiled by Russian authorities, the Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed that they reportedly foiled "the terrorist activities of three citizens of a Central Asian country."
The security agency also revealed that the now detained individuals were "planning to commit a terrorist act by detonating a device in a public place in the Stavropol region."
In particular, the Stavropol region is located in the southern part of Russia and is situated in the North Caucasus region and borders many other regions, including Dagestan and Chechnya. Footage broadcast on Russian television reportedly showed several men pinned to the ground by FSB officials.
Reports also added that materials for making an improvised explosive device (IED) were also discovered at the residence of one of the suspects.
So far, Russia has detained 12 people. They include four alleged attackers from Tajikistan. Eight of them have been charged with terrorism-related crimes.
Russia has also cast suspicion on Ukraine and its alleged involvement in the attack without substantiating the claims until now. ISIL (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The United States had also issued warnings before the attack about possible extremist activities targeting mass gatherings in Russia.
(With contributions from agencies)
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