Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first remarks regarding the deadly terrorist attack at the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow, suggesting the involvement of radical Islamists and Ukraine in the atrocity. Speaking in a televised meeting on Monday, Putin described the perpetrators as radical Islamists, echoing the ideals that the Islamic world itself has battled for centuries.

Putin further labeled Ukraine as neo-Nazis, insinuating a potential connection between the attackers and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine since 2014. He posed questions about the attackers' attempt to flee to Ukraine following the assault, prompting speculation about who may have awaited them there.

However, Putin did not directly address the claim of responsibility made by the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS), which asserted involvement in the Moscow attack.

In the aftermath of the assault, three individuals, including a father and son, have been apprehended for their alleged roles in aiding the attackers. Police have formally charged the trio with complicity in the assault, leading to their remand by the court.

The incident unfolded last Friday night when four gunmen launched an assault on the Crocus City complex in Moscow, resulting in the loss of 137 lives and leaving hundreds more injured. Following the attack, Russian authorities swiftly detained 11 individuals, with four directly implicated in the violent act.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) disclosed that the suspected assailants were attempting to flee to Ukraine post-attack and had established "contacts" there. However, specific details regarding these connections have not been divulged.

In response to Putin's insinuations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied any involvement by Ukraine in the assault, asserting the nation's innocence.

Conversely, immediately after the incident, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack through a post on its Telegram channel, though Putin's remarks did not directly address this assertion.