- The Kremlin confirms the "zoo killer" is an FSB agent
The Kremlin has for the first time directly confirmed that the "Berlin Zoo killer" is an agent of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB. Vadim Krasikov worked in the "Alpha" unit of the FSB, which specializes in anti-terror operations. "It's interesting that he, while serving in 'Alpha', worked with some employees of the Presidential Security Service," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies. "Of course, they greeted each other yesterday when they saw each other," he explained, referring to Krasikov and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
Putin warmly embraced the convicted killer upon his arrival in Russia on Thursday evening, saying: "Good."
Previously, Russia had officially denied any connection to the man. Putin referred to him as a patriot who had eliminated a Russian enemy in Berlin. However, the Turkish intelligence agency MIT, which played a key role in the prisoner exchange on Thursday, had previously publicly revealed Krasikov's FSB identity. German authorities also had no doubt that the hitman was in Putin's service.
Putin, himself a former FSB chief, welcomed the released Russians, including Krasikov and a Slovenian couple convicted of espionage, at Moscow's airport with a red carpet and presidential guard. Accompanied by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov, and head of foreign intelligence Sergei Naryshkin, Putin praised the resilience of the criminals convicted in the West and promised awards and new "assignments" for them.
The European Union expressed concern over the received information about the involvement of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB in the Berlin Zoo incident. Despite Russia's denial, the European Union strongly believes in the significance of transparency and accountability within international relations regarding such matters.
