Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the arrest of all four gunmen responsible for a deadly attack at a concert venue in Moscow, where at least 133 people were killed and more than 140 were injured. The attackers stormed the building, shooting indiscriminately and setting it on fire. Authorities detained a total of 11 people, with the gunmen apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a televised address, Putin condemned the massacre as a “barbaric terrorist act”, the deadliest in Russia in nearly two decades. The IS group released graphic footage from the attack, which has been confirmed as authentic by the BBC. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of attempting to shift blame to Ukraine for the incident.
The U.S. National Security Council had previously warned Russia about the potential for attacks at large gatherings, including concerts, but the Kremlin dismissed these warnings as propaganda. The White House condemned the attack and reiterated the need to defeat the Islamic State globally.
The violent assault at the Crocus City Hall during a rock concert left concertgoers fleeing in panic, with some seeking shelter in the basement or on the roof. Witnesses described the gunmen methodically shooting at people while setting sections of the concert hall on fire. The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that the attackers used flammable liquid to ignite the blaze.
President Putin declared a national day of mourning, canceling weekend events across Russia. Memorials were set up outside Russian embassies worldwide, with Muscovites lighting candles and laying flowers at the concert hall. The tragic events have left families in anguish, searching for loved ones among the victims.
The attack at the Moscow concert venue is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for international cooperation to combat extremist groups like the Islamic State. As the world mourns the lives lost in this senseless act of violence, efforts to promote peace and security remain critical in preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Read More Breaking News
