Two influential allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nikolai Patrushev and Alexander Bortnikov, have expressed their belief that Ukraine was involved in the deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow. Ukraine has vehemently denied any involvement, while the Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility.

Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, cited "many" indications of Ukraine's involvement, without providing specific evidence. Bortnikov, the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), claimed that the attackers intended to flee to Ukraine, where they had support. He also stated that the FSB had information implicating Ukraine but did not disclose its source.

These remarks reflect the hawkish stance of the Kremlin elite. Putin has vowed to punish those responsible for the attack and has suggested that radical Islamists were involved, while also questioning their motives for targeting Russia. However, he has not explicitly accused Ukraine of involvement.