Putin Addresses Prosecutor, Investigators, Officials To Trace the Terrorists of March 22

March 27—On March 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a videoconference meeting with the heads of the government, regions, security services and law-enforcement agencies on measures being taken after the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall concert venue. According to the official report on the meeting by Putin's office:

Today, the President further convened an expanded meeting today of the Prosecutor General’s Office Board, which he also addressed.

In his opening remarks yesterday the President began: "First of all, I would like to express again my deep condolences to the families and friends of those who perished in the inhuman terrorist attack of March 22, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured and wounded….

“I would like to thank everyone who saved people and helped the injured in extremely difficult circumstances. In this difficult time, our society showed an example of true solidarity, unity, and mutual support….

“I would like you to report today on the course of the investigation and search to identify all those who are involved in this terrorist attack and those who ordered and organized it.

“Despite our overwhelming pain and grief, sympathy, and legitimate desire to punish all perpetrators of this inhuman atrocity, the investigation must proceed with the utmost professionalism and objectivity, with no political bias whatsoever.

“We know that the crime was perpetrated by radical Islamists. The Islamic World itself has been fighting this ideology for centuries. But we are also seeing how the United States is using different channels to try and convince its satellites and other countries of the world that, according to its intelligence, there is supposedly no sign of Kyiv’s involvement in the Moscow terrorist attack, that the deadly terrorist attack was perpetrated by followers of Islam, members of ISIS, an organization banned in Russia.

“We know whose hands were used to commit this atrocity against Russia and its people. We want to know who ordered it.

Putin posed, "We need to obtain answers to a number of questions in the course of joint work of our security services and law enforcement agencies.

“For example, do radical and even terrorist Islamist organizations truly have an interest in launching attacks on Russia now that it supports a fair resolution of the escalated conflict in the Middle East? And how do radical Islamists, who present themselves as devout Muslims and follow the so-called pure Islam, justify committing atrocities and serious crimes during the holy month of Ramadan, which is sacred to all Muslims?…

“One thing is absolutely clear: the heinous crime committed in the Russian capital on March 22 is an act of intimidation, as I said.

“This leads to the next question: who stands to benefit from it? This act of violence is likely just one in a series of attempts by those who have been fighting against our country since 2014, using the neo-Nazi Kyiv regime as a pawn. As for the neo-Nazis, it is widely known that they have never hesitated to employ the most repugnant and inhumane methods to achieve their aims.”

Putin cited the fact: "This becomes even more apparent today, as their much-touted counter-offensive has failed completely, as acknowledged by everyone and no longer disputed. The Russian Armed Forces are maintaining the initiative along the entire front line, while the enemy’s efforts to stabilize the front have been unsuccessful….

“All they need to do is follow the orders of their Western patrons, fight until the last Ukrainian, obey Washington’s commands, endorse the new mobilization law, and form something resembling a new version of the Hitler Youth. To comply with all of this, they will seek new weapons and additional funds, much of which will likely be embezzled and, as is customary in Ukraine today, put into their own pockets.

“Incidentally, in the 1920s, the Ukrainian nationalists had an organization called the Union of Ukrainian Nationalist Youth, which later merged with the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.

“Of course, we must also answer the question of why the terrorists, after committing their crime, attempted to flee specifically to Ukraine. Who was waiting for them there? It is clear that those supporting the Kyiv regime do not wish to be implicated in acts of terrorism and be seen as sponsors of terrorism. But there are indeed numerous questions….

“I would like to receive regular updates on the progress of the investigation..."