Tons to cowl with respect to Friday’s mercenary terrorist assault in Moscow. Why do I name it “mercenary”? As a result of it seems that the perps had no ideological axe to grind and have been employed for a comparatively paltry sum and carried out indiscriminate killing at a public gathering of civilians. Primarily based on the video proof launched to date within the public area the planning for this op was not the work of expert professionals — e.g., they used the identical automobile to journey to and from the assault website, their actions contained in the constructing demonstrated unsophisticated Shut Quarter Battle abilities they usually had poor muzzle self-discipline, which suggests that they had minimal rifle coaching.
The Russians obtained a bounce on the investigation as a result of one of many live performance goers coldcocked one of many shooters, and the shooter was captured alive. The Russians additionally adopted the escape automobile and nabbed 4 of the suspects as they skedaddled for Ukraine. The western media is doing its damnedest to push the storyline that this was an ISIS assault and dismiss the likelihood that it might have been Ukraine. However the preliminary questioning of the suspects revealed males of restricted intelligence — i.e., guys who will not be too good — who instructed a cock and bull story that they have been recruited through a telegram channel by an nameless supply who provided to pay them the princely sum of $5000. There additionally isn’t any good reason a band of Tajiks have been hightailing it for the Ukrainian border. At a minimal that reveals a perception that they might discover safehaven if they may get throughout the border. They actually didn’t behave like diehard jihadist warriors desirous to sacrifice themselves and go to Paradise and money within the reward of 72 virgins.
I feel the Islamic terrorism declare is a pink herring and designed to shift consideration away from the opposite indicators that some within the West, at a minimal, had foreknowledge of this assault. How else to clarify the March 7 warning by US Embassy Moscow for Americans to avoid occasion, equivalent to live shows? After which, as I wrote yesterday, the US State Division was fast to challenge a declare exonerating Ukraine for any function within the assault. The fires have been nonetheless raging on the Crocus facility. Meaning just one factor — the State Division had intelligence indicating who carried out the assault. However the U.S. apparently didn’t share that with its Russian counterparts. That lapse alone is just going to stoke extra suspicion in Moscow about Western involvement.
However we already know one factor for positive — that the West has been concerned with facilitating a collection of terrorist assaults towards Russians for the reason that begin of the particular navy operation. What else do you name the artillery and missile strikes on Russian civilians within the Donbass,] and in Belgorod, with munitions that have been equipped by america and different main NATO international locations? At a minimal, that makes western powers an adjunct to an act of terror.
Friday’s mindless slaughter of civilians in Moscow serves no broad, political goal, nor does it advance Ukraine’s navy prospects in anyway. It is very important notice that the assault has rallied world sympathy for Russia, together with some conciliatory feedback out of Washington by Nationwide Safety spokesman John Kirby. Nevertheless, it’s also necessary to notice the President Joe Biden has mentioned nothing, and has made no contact with Vladimir Putin to precise sorrow or empathy. Fairly a distinction with Biden’s actions within the wake of the information that Alexey Navalny, a political opponent of Vladimir Putin, had died. Biden was fast to precise his faux grief for the demise of Navalny.
It seems that the rising demise toll from the assault was not brought on by bullets, however by smoke inhalation. I nonetheless have seen no report explaining how the hearth obtained began. Some speculate that it was brought on by a Molotov cocktail. I’m positive these particulars can be popping out within the subsequent few days. Additionally it is clear from President Putin’s demeanor throughout his speech right this moment that Russia will retaliate towards these answerable for this assault.
I don’t suppose that this act of terrorism goes to vary Russia’s navy technique and plans for Ukraine. Information from the entrance reveals that Russian forces are persevering with to advance all alongside the entrance within the Donbass, and are pushing the Ukrainians again in the direction of the Dnieper River. The place of the Ukrainian navy is changing into extra precarious with every passing day.
As far figuring out these answerable for organizing and funding this assault, I’ve no particular perception. I’m assured that Russian investigators will be capable of hint the origin of the firearms, assuming the serial numbers haven’t been erased. At this juncture, I’m inclined to imagine that the West knew one thing was going to occur based mostly on intelligence out of Ukraine, however didn’t have specifics aside from this was an operation permitted by Ukraine’s intelligence service. Is it doable that some British and/or American intelligence officers had an inkling of what was going to occur? Sure, I feel that’s extremely seemingly. The one factor I do know for sure is that this assault goes to strengthen the need of President Putin, the Russian basic workers, and Russia’s intelligence service to place an finish to NATO meddling in Ukraine, and the flexibility of NATO proxies to assault the Russian folks. Whoever permitted this badly miscalculated and can pay a horrible, however properly deserved, value.
So what do you suppose? Western directed or rogue operation?
