The Kremlin stated on Saturday that President Vladimir Putin remains deeply affected by the recent massacre at a concert hall near Moscow, despite not displaying outward signs of emotion.
Even though more than a week has passed since terrorists attacked Crocus City Hall, resulting in the deaths of 144 individuals and injuries to hundreds more, Putin has not publicly met with survivors or visited the site of the attack.
In contrast, reports from Russian media indicated that Western diplomats, including those from the European Union and the United States, visited a makeshift memorial for the victims outside the venue on Saturday.
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin is processing the tragedy in his own manner.
"Believe me, if you don't see tears on his face, it doesn't mean he's not in pain. And what he is going through, it is unlikely that anyone will ever recognize and understand," Peskov stated to a state TV reporter.
The Kremlin did not provide any indication this week that Putin intends to visit the families of those killed in the attack, which stands as the deadliest in Russia in two decades.
Instead, the focus of security agencies has shifted toward identifying those responsible, with a dozen suspects, including four individuals from Tajikistan, being detained.
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack multiple times since March 22, and IS-affiliated media channels have released graphic videos showing the terrorists inside the venue.
While Putin has acknowledged that "radical Islamists" carried out the attack, he has continued to assert that Ukraine, his country's arch-foe, was somehow involved, despite not presenting any evidence to support his claims.
