The Claim:
In a post to its X/Twitter account, the Russian Ministry of Foreign affairs claims that “resources for terrorist activities in Russia were provided through commercial entities, including Burisma Holdings that operates in Ukraine.”
The Facts:
There is no credible evidence to suggest that ISIS-K or individuals associated with the Crocus Theater attack received any funding from sources in Ukraine.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack and shared footage to corroborate its claims.
A Meduza report from late March states that “Russian state-funded and pro-government media have been instructed by the Putin administration to emphasize possible “traces” of Ukrainian involvement in their reporting on Friday’s Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, Meduza has learned from a state media employee.”
Western authorities and Iran warned the Russian government of a possible attack weeks before, which were dismissed by the Kremlin.
Narrative Context:
The Kremlin exploited the Crocus Theatre attack to falsely blame Ukraine and the West for it shortly after the tragic event in order to incite further anti-Ukrainian anger and support for the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.
