According to Russian officials, the number of those killed has increased to 115 following an attack by gunmen who stormed into a Moscow music hall and opened fire on the audience.
Four individuals directly engaged in the attack on the Crocus City Hall on the western border of Moscow were among the eleven persons seized in the aftermath, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) informed Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Russian official news agency Tass.
In a statement released on associated social media sites on Friday night, the so-called Islamic State organization (IS) took credit for the attack.
Despite the IS claim, Russian authorities seemed to indicate that the strike was connected to Ukraine. The Associated Press was informed by a US intelligence official that US agencies had verified IS was responsible for the assault.
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the four suspects were apprehended “not far from the border with Ukraine” in the Bryansk area of western Russia. They “had contacts” and intended to travel into Ukraine, according to official news outlet Tass, which cited the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to Russian officials, the incident on Friday night at the Krasnogorsk venue claimed the lives of at least three youngsters.
A fleet of rescue vehicles was still collected outside the remains of the hall, a retail center and concert venue that could hold more than 6,000 people, according to images released by Russian official television.
Days have passed since Mr. Putin solidified his hold on power with a carefully planned election landslide.
According to a US intelligence officer who spoke with The Associated Press, US agencies had informed Russian officials that the group’s affiliate in Afghanistan was organizing an assault on Moscow.
Since then, messages of astonishment, indignation, and solidarity with the impacted people have poured in from all around the world.
The UN Security Council emphasized the need for the culprits to be held responsible while denouncing “the horrific and cowardly terrorist attack.”
According to his spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also denounced the terrorist incident “in the strongest possible terms.”
According to Russia’s health ministry, hundreds of people lined up on Saturday morning in Moscow to give plasma and blood.
Putin criticized Western terrorist alerts as a blackmail attempt, citing a collapsed roof and burning music hall during Russia’s third-year conflict with Ukraine, claiming it destabilized society.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin hailed the raid as a “huge tragedy.”
The Kremlin informed Putin shortly after the assailants entered the venue, with reports suggesting more victims may have been trapped in the blaze.
The prosecutor’s office reported that combat fatigue men entered a concert hall and fired on concertgoers, causing panic and chaos. Dave Primov, who was in the hall, described the chaotic scene, including gunfire, panic, and collisions, with some falling and others being trampled on.
Russian officials have increased security at Moscow’s airports, railway stations, and subway system, cancelling mass gatherings and shutting theatres and museums. The Kremlin did not immediately blame anyone, but some lawmakers accused Ukraine and called for increased strikes.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Security Council deputy head, urged all involved in Ukraine’s involvement to be killed, including state officials. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, denied involvement, stating that Ukraine has never used terrorist methods and the war will be decided on the battlefield
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