Hours after a deadly shooting at a concert near Moscow killed more than 60 people on Friday, Russia has accused the United States of withholding information about the involvement of Ukrainians in the attack.
This came after the White House on Friday said it had no initial indication that Ukraine, which is fighting an invasion by Russia, was involved in a "terrible" attack on a concert hall in Moscow.
At a press conference, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, responding to a question about the Ukrainians' involvement in the Moscow terror attack, said, "There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians, were involved in the shooting. I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine."
Kirby also said the United States was still gathering information after Russian officials said gunmen opened fire in a "terrorist" attack, leaving dead and wounded.
"The images are just horrible and hard to watch, and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack. You've got to recognise that there are some moms and dads, brothers and sisters and sons and daughters that haven't gotten the news yet. And this is going to be a tough day," he said.
On Kirby's address, Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in an X post, said, "The White House said it sees no indication that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the terrorist attack in Moscow. On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of the tragedy about anyone's involvement? If the United States has or had reliable information on this matter, it must be immediately handed over to the Russian side."
"And if there is no such data, then the White House has no right to issue indulgences to anyone. All those involved, according to the Russian leadership, will be identified by the competent authorities," she tweeted.
In the beginning of March, Kirby, in a press conference had warned Russia about the possibility of an attack.
"Last week, the State Department, through our embassy there, has issued a notice to all Americans in Moscow to avoid any large gatherings, concerts, obviously shopping centers, anything like that, simply for their own safety," Kirby was heard saying.
Referring to Kirby's address, Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, on Saturday said, "Earlier this month, the US government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow – potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts – which prompted the State Department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia."
"The US government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding 'duty to warn' policy," she said.
On Friday, camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire at concertgoers with automatic weapons, killing more than 60 people and injuring 145 more in an attack claimed by Islamic State terrorists.
The attack was the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.
