Russian lawmaker and former general, Andrei Kartapolov, has issued a stern warning, indicating potential retaliation if Ukraine is found to be involved in the recent attack by gunmen at a concert hall in Moscow, the capital of Russia.

According to a report by Al Jazeera citing Russia's RIA Novosti news agency, Kartapolov emphasized that any Ukrainian involvement in the Moscow attack should be met with a response on the battlefield. The statement comes amidst reports from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) suggesting connections between the attackers and individuals in Ukraine.

While analysts are cautious not to dismiss Kartapolov's suspicions entirely, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly denied any Ukrainian involvement in the incident.

The attack, which occurred on Friday night, resulted in the deaths of 115 people, with fears that the death toll may rise further. The FSB reported that over 140 individuals were injured in the assault at the Crocus City Hall.

Authorities have already arrested eleven individuals in connection with the attack, with Russia's security chief informing President Putin that four of the detainees were directly involved.

Following the incident, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack in a post on its Telegram channel, heightening concerns over the security situation in the region.