UK rules out connection between Ukraine, Moscow terror attack

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) - The UK is aware of “no connection whatsoever” between Ukraine and last Friday’s terror attack in Moscow terror, said the British defense secretary on Monday.

Speaking at the House of Commons, Grant Shapps told lawmakers that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s effort to link the two must be “resisted” among the continuing Ukraine war, which is now into its third year.

At least 137 people were killed and over 180 others injured on Friday when gunmen opened fire just before a rock concert at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region. The terrorist group Daesh/ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

Speaking on behalf of the main opposition Labour Party, Shadow defense secretary John Healey extended his condolences to the victims of the attack and added: “But the attack must not become a Kremlin cover for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and in recent days we’ve seen multiple Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and yet the last UK air defense support was announced last year. When is the next one?”

Shapps said recently that the government has actively been working to “aid our Ukrainian friends, including through the international fund for Ukraine.”

Healey said Labour welcomed the UK government’s £2.5 billion ($3.16 billion) commitment to Ukraine for 2024, but warned: “For nearly three months since that announcement, ministers have said that the first deliveries to Ukraine won’t happen until first quarter of the new financial year.”