Russia casts doubt on Islamic State involvement in Moscow attack

Russia has cast doubt on the claim that the Islamic State was behind a deadly gun attack near Moscow, which killed 137 and injured 182.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to mention the militant group in relation to the attack, suggesting the perpetrators were fleeing to Ukraine.

“Attention – a question to the White House: Are you sure it’s ISIS? Might you think again about that?” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday, accusing the US of using ISIS as a scapegoat to support its “wards” in Kyiv.

American officials previously said that they had warned Russia of an imminent attack earlier this month, adding that the US has intelligence that confirms ISIS’ responsibility.