Russia says Moscow terror suspects planned to flee to Kyiv for reward

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A bouquet of flowers inserted into the road fence in front of the burnt Crocus City Hall, center, on the western outskirts of Moscow, Russia, March 27, 2024. /CFP

The Russian Investigative Committee said on Friday that it had found evidence showing the terrorists involved in the Moscow concert hall attack were planning to cross into Ukraine to receive "a reward."

"On the instructions of a coordinator, after committing the crime, the terrorists drove in a car towards the Russian-Ukrainian border to subsequently cross it and arrive in Kyiv to receive a reward they were promised," the committee said on their Telegram.

It added that a man who introduced himself using a pseudonym helped coordinate the terrorists' actions at both the preparation stage and after they attacked the concert venue. He did this through audio messages sent on Telegram, according to the post by the committee.

The committee also said a ninth suspect linked to the attack was detained on Friday.

The Islamic State group has repeatedly claimed responsibility for the attack in which Russia says 144 people died, with Russia's military intelligence service GRU Colonel Timur Myasnikov reportedly among the victims.

Russian authorities said they're still investigating the case to verify the involvement of representatives of the Ukrainian special services in organizing and financing the terrorist attack.

Earlier this week, Director of Russia's Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov accused the U.S., the UK and Ukraine of being behind the Moscow concert hall attack. The accused countries have dismissed the Russian claims.

(With input from agencies)