The gunmen who opened fire on concertgoers in the Crocus City Hall on the evening of March 22 reportedly tried to escape to Ukraine.
Putin said in a televised address on March 23 that according to preliminary information, the Ukrainian side had been preparing ‘a gap’ in the border for the terrorists to cross it.
He vowed to identify and hold to account all those behind the attack on the Crocus City Hall and declared March 24 a day of nationwide mourning.
"Terrorists, murderers, non-humans … have only one unenviable fate: retribution and oblivion," Putin said in a televised address to the nation on March 23.
Ukraine has denied any connection with the March 22 attack and warned Russia could use it as a ruse to escalate its invasion.
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group’s Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility.
U.S. intelligence officials reportedly confirmed the claim by the IS affiliate.
“ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
