Putin insists terror attack tied to Ukraine despite ISIS claim

Despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to insist that its organizers are connected with Ukraine.

"One thing is absolutely clear: the terrible crime committed on March 22 in the capital of Russia is an act of intimidation. And the question immediately arises: who benefits from this? This atrocity can only be a link in a whole series of attempts by those who have been at war with our country since 2014 at the hands of the neo-Nazi Kyiv regime," Putin stated at a meeting on the situation surrounding the terrorist attack, as quoted by TASS.

The TASS report states, "He (Putin) added that it's well known that the Nazis 'never hesitated to use the most dirty and inhumane means to achieve their goals.'"

According to updated data, 139 people were killed as a result of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. A search operation is ongoing at the concert hall site, expected to conclude on March 26th.