by Larry Johnson
Lots to cover with respect to Friday’s mercenary terrorist attack in Moscow. Why do I call it “mercenary”? Because it appears that the perps had no ideological axe to grind and were hired for a relatively paltry sum and carried out indiscriminate killing at a public gathering of civilians. Based on the video evidence released so far in the public domain the planning for this op was not the work of skilled professionals — e.g., they used the same vehicle to travel to and from the attack site, their movements inside the building demonstrated unsophisticated Close Quarter Battle skills and they had poor muzzle discipline, which means they had minimal rifle training.
The Russians got a jump on the investigation because one of the concert goers coldcocked one of the shooters, and the shooter was captured alive. The Russians also followed the escape vehicle and nabbed four of the suspects as they skedaddled for Ukraine. The western media is doing its damnedest to push the storyline that this was an ISIS attack and dismiss the possibility that it could have been Ukraine. But the initial questioning of the suspects revealed men of limited intelligence — i.e., guys who are not too smart — who told a cock and bull story that they were recruited via a telegram channel by an anonymous source who offered to pay them the princely sum of $5000. There also is no good explanation why a band of Tajiks were hightailing it for the Ukrainian border. At a minimum that shows a belief that they would find safehaven if they could get across the border. They certainly did not behave like diehard jihadist warriors eager to sacrifice themselves and go to Paradise and cash in the reward of 72 virgins.
I think the Islamic terrorism claim is a red herring and designed to shift attention away from the other indicators that some in the West, at a minimum, had foreknowledge of this attack. How else to explain the March 7 warning by US Embassy Moscow for American citizens to steer clear of event, such as concerts? And then, as I wrote yesterday, the US State Department was quick to issue a claim exonerating Ukraine for any role in the attack. The fires were still raging at the Crocus facility. That means only one thing — the State Department had intelligence indicating who carried out the attack. But the U.S. apparently did not share that with its Russian counterparts. That lapse alone is simply going to stoke more suspicion in Moscow about Western involvement.
But we already know one thing for sure — that the West has been involved with facilitating a series of terrorist attacks against Russians since the start of the special military operation. What else do you call the artillery and missile strikes on Russian civilians in the Donbass,] and in Belgorod, with munitions that were supplied by the United States and other major NATO countries? At a minimum, that makes western powers an accessory to an act of terror.
Friday’s senseless slaughter of civilians in Moscow serves no broad, political purpose, nor does it advance Ukraine’s military prospects in anyway. It is important to note that the attack has rallied world sympathy for Russia, including some conciliatory comments out of Washington by National Security spokesman John Kirby. However, it is also important to note the President Joe Biden has said nothing, and has made no contact with Vladimir Putin to express sorrow or empathy. Quite a contrast with Biden’s actions in the wake of the news that Alexey Navalny, a political opponent of Vladimir Putin, had died. Biden was quick to express his fake grief for the death of Navalny.
It appears that the growing death toll from the attack was not caused by bullets, but by smoke inhalation. I still have seen no report explaining how the fire got started. Some speculate that it was caused by a Molotov cocktail. I’m sure those details will be coming out in the next few days. It is also clear from President Putin’s demeanor during his speech today that Russia will retaliate against those responsible for this attack.
I do not think that this act of terrorism is going to change Russia’s military strategy and plans for Ukraine. News from the front shows that Russian forces are continuing to advance all along the front in the Donbass, and are pushing the Ukrainians back towards the Dnieper River. The position of the Ukrainian military is becoming more precarious with each passing day.
I’m very suspicious that the terrorists were taken alive.
Not unusual, boston bomber, the Paris night club slaughter, how would they enjoy their reward money?
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/29/1108715478/paris-attacks-2015-conviction-life-sentence.
Who benefits the most?
If one wanted to suspend the ’24 election, and were willing to stage a false flag attack against the US to do it, then blaming a future attack in the US on Russia would look more plausible if it appeared that the Russians were convinced that the US and Ukraine was behind this Moscow attack.
Yes they are that psycho.
The primary geopolitical players who might organize and benefit from the terror attack would be, USA, Ukraine, Turkey and Israel, or a combination therein. Each nation has an independent motive.
I hope Putin does his investigation carefully.
If sent by the West and caught alive, the cat is out of the bag. No, I’m suspicious. But, maybe they’re just stupid.
I too am deeply suspicious of the facts of this attack as they are becoming known. I strongly suspect in depth involvement from the west/US/CIA/MI6 etc, etc…
It would appear the west is not happy with Putin’s recent election results…
I love my Country, this current government is maliciousness and I abhor it…
The “fog of war,” confuses all the news that leaks out.
We may never know who those killers were.
Think Dodger’s pitcher Ohtani gambled on sports in CA?
Or, was it his translator just using his computer and his cash?
The Dodgers have hundreds of millions in reasons for the story we get fed.
War is even more serious than that.
5:01 a.m. ET, March 25, 2024 – Moscow concert hall attack latest
Four suspects in the Crocus City Hall attack — which left at least 137 people dead in Moscow — have been charged with committing a terrorist act. They are facing possible life imprisonment.The suspects, who have been identified, will be held in preventive custody until at least May 22. Three of the defendants pled guilty to all charges, according to state news agency TASS.The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, has claimed the attack and released graphic footage purporting to show the incident. The footage is significant as it suggests the perpetrators had a direct link to ISIS to be able to send the video.Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said the main suspects arrested planned to flee into Ukraine. Ukraine has denied any connection. The UK warned that Russia was creating a “smokescreen of propaganda.”
Thats correct, just because a guy robs a bank then tries to flee to Mexico doesnt mean Mexico is in on the robbery. Im sure it has been taken into account, the UK, the ones where Boris was sent to FU negotiations for Peace, nope dont trust them after Crossfire Hurricane. Ah yes ISIS Barrys freedom fighters, Hey what was Barry doing in the UK the other day?
Wow there is a smoke screen of propaganda for ya OOoooh
03/25/24 – Russia’s Putin says ‘radical Islamists’ behind Moscow concert hall attack – Russian leader also suggests Ukraine is somehow involved in the attack without providing any evidence.
whose ideology the Islamic world itself has been fighting for centuries,
Putin is wrong there they would begin beheading or stoning them if they were fighting the murderous ideology.
No they give rewards to families of these terrorists.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/palestinian-authority-to-pay-nearly-2-8-million-to-families-of-1-500-dead-hamas-terrorists-pmw/ar-AA1ikftr
Julian is correct.
But I’d add one other advantage to the elites in pushing for war.
The old adage that “you shouldn’t change horses in midstream,” is often applied to keeping a political leader in office because a war is on.
But since our own munitions are so low that we can’t even keep Ukraine armed, joe also knows he should keep this war on a small scale, localized, not global.
He talks big tho.
Either way we are the losers.
joe depletes our treasury as he enriches himself, or joe depletes our treasury and our population and enriches himself.
AND his “war” with Russia convinces idiots to vote for him because: war.
Why did the US stipulate the terrorist warning issued by the State Department on March 7 only for 48 hrs? When has a terror threat had an end time?
Something like Baltimore doe not add up.
That means they received US taxpayer funding.
A DESPERATE WEST STEPS UP ITS COVERT ACTIONS AS DELUSIONAL THINKING PERSISTS
Speculation is that possibly Russia would suspect Ukraine for terror attack and step up their use of weaponry to politically assist in the passage of the 60 billion supplemental in Congress. The psychopathic war overlords in the west could escalate the war for their financial benefit. Vietnam anyone?