Russia detained another suspect for the Moscow attack but continues to blame Ukraine

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Woman Arrested for Possible Involvement in Moscow Concert Hall Attack

A woman has been arrested in connection with the deadly attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Moscow, which claimed the lives of at least 143 people. The Russian Investigative Committee reported the arrest of the suspect on Thursday, stating that she is believed to have participated in financing the terrorists responsible for the attack.

According to the official statement, the suspect has been identified and will face charges related to terrorism. The Investigative Committee also revealed that evidence linking the perpetrators of the attack to Ukrainian nationalists has been uncovered, including the receipt of significant amounts of money and cryptocurrencies from Ukraine.

This latest arrest follows the detention of eight other suspects earlier this week, all of whom have been charged with terrorism and could potentially face life in prison. The Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported a total of eleven arrests in connection with the attack, including four terrorists who were apprehended in the Bryansk region near the Ukrainian border.

Russia has insisted on investigating a possible “Ukrainian footprint” in the attack, despite denials from Kyiv and claims of responsibility from the Islamic State militant group. The State Investigative Committee has claimed to have evidence of a Ukrainian link to the attack but has not provided further details.

The United States had previously warned of a potential extremist attack in Russia, with officials believing that ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of the network, may be responsible for the concert hall shooting. Russian officials have expressed suspicions about the timing of the US’s identification of the alleged perpetrator and have suggested possible involvement from Ukraine, the US, and the UK.

The attack has raised questions about the resources and priorities of Russian intelligence agencies, with Western analysts noting a focus on the conflict in Ukraine and internal opposition within Russia. Investigations into the Moscow concert hall attack are ongoing, with additional arrests and developments expected in the coming days.

(With information from EFE and Reuters)