In recent days, the Kremlin has found itself embroiled in a firestorm of controversy following statements from its spokesman about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the wake of a brutal terror attack in Moscow. The comments, which have drawn international attention and condemnation, delve into issues of ethnicity and national sympathies, creating a new layer of tension between Russia and Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “peculiar kind of Jew” in an attempt to link him with the attack in Moscow, claimed by Islamic jihadists. The Russian officials allege Kyiv’s involvement in the attack at a Moscow concert hall that resulted in the tragic loss of at least 139 lives, an assertion that Zelensky has branded as absurd.
“Well, there is a peculiar kind of Jew over there,” Peskov said, referring to Zelensky. “A Jew who, in many respects, exhibits sympathy and alignment with the nationalist spirit that characterizes the leadership of the Kyiv regime.” This remark echoed a sentiment expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin last June when he labeled Zelensky a “disgrace to the Jewish people,” a statement that met with backlash from Jewish groups. In a pointed rebuttal during a BBC interview, Zelensky responded by calling Putin “the second king of antisemitism” after Adolf Hitler.
Despite clear claims by the Islamic State group and supporting intelligence from US sources, Moscow officials continue to shift the blame onto Kyiv. Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, explicitly pointed to Ukraine as the orchestrator of the attack, making it the deadliest terrorist incident on Russian soil in over two decades.
Putin has acknowledged that the perpetrators were “radical Islamists” but suggested a connection to Ukraine, raising questions about the motivations behind the attack. “Why, after committing the crime, the terrorists tried to go to Ukraine? Who was waiting for them there?” he posed, further muddying the waters without providing evidence to substantiate these insinuations.
The attack’s aftermath has brought intense scrutiny upon Russia’s security apparatus, as public and private warnings from the US about a potential terrorist threat in Moscow were in place prior to the incident. Eleven individuals have been detained in connection with the attack, with four suspects presented to Moscow’s Basmanny district court. Despite visible injuries, two pled guilty to involvement in the atrocity. All detainees are facing terrorism charges and could receive life imprisonment, although the Kremlin has dismissed suggestions of reintroducing the death penalty as a consequence.
The Islamic State has been vocal about its responsibility for the attack, with affiliated media channels releasing graphic content showcasing the violence within the venue. This stands in stark contrast to the Kremlin’s persistent accusations against Ukraine.
Relevant articles:
– Kremlin calls Zelensky ‘peculiar kind of Jew’ over IS attack claim
– Kremlin Labels Zelensky ‘Peculiar Kind of Jew’ Amid Moscow Attack Allegations, Kyiv Post, Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:10:31 GMT
– Death toll from Moscow concert attack rises to 133 as more bodies found, The Washington Post, Sat, 23 Mar 2024 09:44:00 GMT
– Putin says ‘Islamists’ behind Moscow attack and links them to Ukraine, FRANCE 24 English, Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:55:05 GMT