Russia Says Ukraine's Security Service Should Be Declared 'Terrorist Organization'

UPDATES WITH MORE COMMENTS FROM HEAD OF RUSSIAN FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE

By Burc Eruygur and Elena Teslova

ISTANBUL (AA) — Ukraine's Security Service should be declared a "terrorist organization," the head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Tuesday.

"We need to do this, of course, yes. I believe that this is the basis. Not only to count, but also to make appropriate decisions," Alexander Bortnikov told reporters in Moscow following an expanded meeting of the board of Russia's Prosecutor General's Office.

Bortnikov said the leadership of Ukraine's special services, including Kyrylo Budanov, the head of defense intelligence, are "legitimate targets" of Russia.

He also accused the US, UK, and Ukraine of being behind the Friday attack on the Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region that killed 139 people.

Initial information obtained from detained gunmen who allegedly opened fire in the concert hall on Friday confirms Ukrainian involvement, the intelligence chief asserted.

"I can definitely say that there is a political background. And the Islamists alone could not prepare such an action. Of course, they were helped. And we see the Ukrainian trace in this. The primary data that we have received from the detainees confirm this," he said.

Bortnikov said the investigation would either prove or clear Ukraine of the involvement, adding that there is currently "every reason to say that this is exactly the case."

"Just the fact that the bandits intended to go abroad, to the territory of Ukraine, speaks for itself. And according to preliminary information, they were expected there," he said.

Bortnikov claimed Kyiv is trying to "prove its worth," and that it is necessary to carry out "sabotage and terrorist acts" in order to do so, which he argued is what the leadership of the Ukrainian and British intelligence services are aiming to do.

He further claimed that Ukraine carried out training of "terrorists" in the Middle East.

He went on to say that the threat of "terrorist acts" in Russia continues, acknowledging that the US did provide general information to Russia about a possible terrorist attack in the country.

Nikolai Patrushev, the head of Russia's Security Council, said after the meeting that law enforcement agencies have evidence of Ukraine's involvement in the concert hall attack.

President Vladimir Putin has said the shooting was carried out by radicals, but more specific and professional questions such as who ordered it have to be answered. -