Russian investigators have officially accused Ukraine of being behind the deadly terrorist attack that killed at least 144 people in Moscow on March 22.

According to a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on March 31, the attack was masterminded by Kyiv. Moscow did not provide any evidence for this claim.

Shortly after the attack, The Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS–KP), an IS regional affiliate, claimed responsibility for the attack and published video filmed by the attackers. However, Russia has sought to blame Kyiv for the attack, with President Vladimir Putin repeatedly suggesting that Islamic State was being used as cover for Ukraine. 

Now, the Russian Foreign Minister has called for the arrest and extradition of numerous individuals it asserts were behind the attack.

"The March 22 bloody terror attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, which shocked the entire world, is not the first terrorist attack on our country in recent time. The investigation conducted by Russian competent agencies reveals the Ukrainian trail in these crimes," the ministry’s statement said.

"Bearing this in mind, the Russian foreign ministry issued a request to Ukraine’s authorities for an immediate arrest and extradition of all those involved in terror attacks under the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism,” it continued.

Central to the demand is the extradition of Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) chief Vasily Malyuk. Malyuk has been at the head of the service since February 2023, and has been one of the masterminds behind numerous successful operations during the Russo-Ukrainian War.

"Fighting international terrorism is an obligation of each country. The Russian side demands that the Kyiv regime immediately stop any support for terrorist activities, extradite those responsible and compensate the victims for the damage done to them,” the statement concluded.