© AP Photo/Patrick SemanskyRussian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov.
The US has dismantled its counterterrorism cooperation with Moscow, Russian Ambassador in Washington DC Anatoly Antonov has claimed. The diplomat added that joint work in this field had been among the key aspects of the partnership between the two nations.
The official's remark came shortly after several gunmen staged one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Russia's modern history, unleashing a shooting spree at the Crocus City concert hall just outside of Moscow on Friday evening. According to the latest estimates, the raid has claimed the lives of at least 133 people, with scores more injured.
Earlier this month, the US embassy in Moscow warned its citizens against attending large gatherings due to an imminent threat of a terrorist attack in the Russian capital.
In an article on Sunday, RIA Novosti quoted Antonov as saying: "I've always reminded the Americans that
our president [Vladimir Putin] was the first one to extend a hand to the Americans and stated readiness to provide assistance in 2001," referring to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
He noted that "some things [in this cooperation] worked out... and
it is all destroyed today through no fault of our own."
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