Putin-ordered provocation: Ukraine's intelligence unveils motive behind mall shooting near Moscow
Millitary intelligence commented on the Kremlin's provocation with the shooting at the shopping center near Moscow (armyinform.com.ua)
Today's terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow is a planned and deliberate provocation by Russian special services at the direction of dictator Vladimir Putin. The goal is an attempt by the Kremlin to justify increased strikes against Ukraine and total mobilization, according to the Telegram channel of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Military intelligence highlights the intention of the Russian leadership to escalate military aggression.
"The public execution in Moscow should be understood as a threat from Putin for even greater escalation and expansion of the war. Peskov's statement just before the terrorist act about war is only the false start of a carefully planned Kremlin special operation," the statement from the Defense Intelligence reads.
Intelligence also notes that Putin has "significant experience in organizing similar terrorist acts as a means of strengthening his own power, starting with the apartment bombings on Kashirskoye Highway.
"Like then, today's intimidation action against Russians will lead to maximum tightening within Russia itself," military intelligence reports.
The department believes that the Kremlin will most likely blame Ukraine for this shooting to "use the shooting of its own citizens as a pretext for even more severe strikes on civilian infrastructure and the killing of Ukrainian civilians."
"Today's strike on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure is another step in Putin's initiated escalation," the intelligence statement says.
Additionally, intelligence adds that the unhindered movement of armed groups in central Moscow, among other evidence, indicates that "the shooting at Crocus City Hall was organized by Russian special services."
"The embassies were also warned about the preparation of the terrorist act. It is evident to the whole world that the terrorist act in Moscow is another crime of Putin's to maintain his own power," emphasizes military intelligence.
Shooting in the shopping center near Moscow on March 22
Earlier, it was reported that tonight there was a shooting at the Crocus City Hall shopping center near Moscow. According to Russian Telegram channels, at least 35 people were injured. Another 15 died.
It is worth mentioning that videos of the attack at Crocus City Hall were also shared online.
As stated by White House spokesperson John Kirby, the earlier warning from the US Embassy about the threat of terrorist attacks in Russia is not related to the shooting at the Crocus City Hall shopping center near Moscow. He also stated that there are no signs of Ukraine's possible involvement in the events at the shopping center near Moscow.
The events at the shopping center near Moscow were also commented on by the advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak. He emphasized the non-involvement of the Ukrainian side in this shooting and pointed to signs of provocation from the Kremlin.
Additionally, military intelligence representative Andrii Chernyak commented to RBC-Ukraine, stating that the shooting at Crocus City Hall was the result of Russia's terrorist activities.
