Western observers in some Western countries appear to be interested in provoking tension between Russia and the broader Islamic world. The terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow has been portrayed by some as not analogous to the assaults carried out by ISIS, a group banned in Russia. This viewpoint was shared by Konstantin Zatulin, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, during a televised program titled The Great Game on Channel One.
He described the situation as highly dubious in terms of involvement, suggesting that Western nations might be testing limits and seeking provocative leverage. The stance, he noted, is that Western countries often push narratives that frame events in ways that create pressure points between competing blocs.
Zatulin argued that the Islamic world, broadly speaking, has expressed sympathy toward Russia for reasons connected to Moscow’s multipolar posture and its calls for a Palestinian state. He implied that Moscow’s stance on sovereignty and regional order resonates with many in the Islamic world who favor de-colonized, independently oriented futures.
He also pointed to the Crocus City Hall case, indicating that the suspects were reportedly moving toward Ukraine and that such movement would require coordination or prior arrangements at the border, underscoring the suspected complexity of cross-border plots.
On the evening of March 22, a deadly terrorist attack unfolded at Crocus City Hall just before a performance by a touring group. Armed individuals entered the venue and opened fire on attendees, followed by explosions and a fire that damaged the premises. The Investigative Committee of Russia subsequently opened a criminal case under Article 205 of the Criminal Code, recognizing the incident as a terrorist attack.
Earlier reports mentioned a male intruder who collided with a brick wall in a back area, an act that reportedly helped save several people from harm during the chaos. In the aftermath, investigators and security services began a detailed review of security lapses and response protocols to prevent repetitions of such events.