Vladimir Putin’s close allies refuse to believe his claim that Ukraine was involved in the terrorist attack in Moscow last week that left at least 139 people dead.

Kremlin officials were shocked by the failure of the security services to prevent Friday’s massacre when four men opened fire at concert goers at Crocus City Hall outside Moscow, Bloomberg reported, citing four people with close ties to the Kremlin. Barely anyone within Russia’s political or business elite believes Ukraine was behind the attack.

According to one source, Putin was present at discussions where officials agreed there is no connection to Kyiv, yet the president remains determined to use the tragedy to try to rally Russians behind the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine has flatly denied any involvement, while the militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility - a claim backed up by US intelligence.

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