MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Kiev’s statements on the alleged "Russian connection" in the murder of former member of Russia’s State Duma, Denis Voronenkov, should not mean refusal to carry out a full-fledged investigation, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"We hope they (statements) do not mean refusal to conduct serious investigative activities," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman earlier noted that any allegations about a "Russian connection" in this case are absurd expressing hope that all those responsible for the crime will be tracked down.

Voronenkov was gunned down in a shootout in Kiev on Thursday. The incident occurred in broad daylight at the entrance to Premier-Palace Hotel.

Voronenkov was a member of the Communist faction in the previous, 6th State Duma. In December 2014 Russia’s Investigative Committee asked the State Duma to strip him of immunity in connection with a criminal case over a hostile takeover of a building in the center of Moscow. In April 2015, the IC asked the Prosecutor-General’s Office for permission to indict Voronenkov on criminal charges. On February 15, 2017 a decision was made to bring him to justice in the capacity of an accused on falsification and fraud charges.

In December 2016, Voronenkov emigrated to Kiev where he was granted Ukrainian citizenship.