Moscow demands that Kiev extradite the Ukrainian intelligence chief
The destroyed Crocus City Hall – Moscow sees connection to Ukraine (photo issued by Russian Investigative Committee)
Source: dpa/-
The Russian Foreign Ministry accuses Ukraine of involvement in several attacks on its territory. Russia also sees connections in the recent attack on a concert hall. The Ukrainian secret service responds with clear words.
Russia demanded that Ukraine on Sunday extradite the Ukrainian intelligence chief and others who Moscow said were involved in “terrorist attacks” on Russian territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated in a statement that there was a connection to Ukraine in the attack on a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow.
Russia also accused Ukraine of being behind a series of attacks and attacks on its territory. Citing two international anti-terrorism conventions, the ministry said it had called on Ukraine to “immediately arrest and extradite” a number of people, including the head of the SBU secret service, Vasily Malyuk.
The SBU described Moscow’s demands as “worthless.” “Statements about terrorism are particularly cynical when they come from a terrorist country,” the intelligence agency said. Russia claims that Kiev is connected to the attack on the concert hall, although the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Malyuk admitted to “organizing the bombing of the Crimean Bridge in October 2022” and “revealed details of the organization of other terrorist attacks in Russia.” Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, but is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine. “The Russian side demands that the regime in Kiev immediately stop all support for terrorist activities, extradite those responsible and compensate the victims,” the ministry continued.
It was unclear how Russia conveyed its demands to Ukraine, as Kiev cut diplomatic ties with Moscow shortly after the military attack in February 2022.