In the aftermath of a shocking incident at a Russian airport, where a group of individuals targeted Jewish passengers, President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin have swiftly pointed fingers at the West and alleged their involvement in the chaos.
The riot occurred in the city of Makhachkala, Dagestan, and has ignited an international uproar.
During a televised meeting with top members of his Security Council on Monday, Putin said: “The events in Makhachkala last night were instigated through social networks, not least from Ukraine, by the hands of agents of Western special services.”
The statement has intensified the already tense relations between Russia and the Western world.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported that Russian security forces have identified over 150 participants in the incident and detained around 60 individuals believed to be involved in the riot.
However, AFP estimates the number of detainees to be more than 80.
The unrest unfolded in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic, when a group of rioters stormed an airport and proceeded to encircle a plane that had recently arrived from Israel.
The mob targeted passengers they perceived to be of Israeli or Jewish descent.
The unrest unfolded in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic, when a group of rioters stormed an airport and proceeded to encircle a plane that had recently arrived from Israel. The mob targeted passengers they perceived to be of Israeli or Jewish descent.
Putin added: “Who is organising the deadly chaos and who benefits from it today, in my opinion, has already become obvious…
“It is the current ruling elites of the US and their satellites who are the main beneficiaries of world instability.”
Russian authorities have confirmed that during the attack, nine police officers sustained injuries as rioters pelted them with stones.
