The Russian list includes several attacks that Moscow considers “terrorist” acts, namely violent events that have occurred in the country since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022..
Are included the bombings that killed the daughter of a prominent nationalist, an incident in which a writer was seriously injured, and the attack on the Crimean bridge.
The Ministry states that the investigation demonstrated that “the traces of these crimes lead to Ukraine”. Therefore, he demands that Kiev “immediately arrest and extradite” several people, including Vasil Malyuk, head of the SBU – Security and Intelligence Service of Ukraine.“Russia has handed over to the Ukrainian authorities its demands for the immediate arrest and extradition of all those linked to the terrorist acts in question,” the statement reads.
Moscow argues that 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”. Moscow occupied Crimea in 2014 and the bridge was built after the region was annexed.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the accusation that the attack at the concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow is linked to Ukraine. However, responsibility was assumed by an Afghan branch of the Islamic State.
While Kiev denies any link to the attack, Russian investigators announced last week that they had found evidence that the gunmen at the concert hall were linked to “Ukrainian nationalists”.
The Russian Ministry thus demands “that the Kiev regime immediately cease all support for terrorist activity, extradite those responsible and compensate the victims for the damage”.
And he adds: “Ukraine’s violation of its obligations under anti-terrorism conventions will result in its being held accountable in international legal terms.”.
Ukrainian agency’s response
The SBU has already reacted by stating that the Russian demand is “useless” and “particularly cynical coming from the terrorist state itself”.
The Kiev Security and Intelligence Service recalls the international arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued by the International Criminal Court and associated with the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russian soil: “The Hague court is waiting for him.”
