(DailyChive.com) – A horrific terrorist attack rocked a concert venue in Moscow recently. The death toll from the attack has risen to at least 140, according to Russia’s top investigative agency, with many more injured.
President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation in a televised speech, calling the massacre a “barbaric terrorist act” and declaring Sunday, March 24, a day of national mourning. He also announced additional security measures across the country.
Russian authorities arrested 11 suspects, including four believed to be directly involved in the attack. Russia accused Ukraine of harboring the attackers, a claim Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vehemently denied.
However, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through social media channels, and the U.S. confirmed intelligence pointing towards ISIS involvement. The specific branch responsible is believed to be ISIS-K, the group’s Afghanistan affiliate, notorious for its role in the deadly Kabul airport bombing during the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
The attack unfolded at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, where concertgoers were enjoying a performance by the Russian band Picnic. Video footage shows gunmen storming the venue, firing at close range, and detonating smoke bombs. News reports also mention explosives thrown inside, causing a fire that ripped through the building.
In a panic, concertgoers fled for safety, some trapped as the roof collapsed. As firefighters battled the blaze, Russians laid flowers at makeshift memorials and lined up to donate blood in a wave of solidarity.
Putin vowed to dismantle the entire “terrorist support base,” targeting those who aided the attackers with transportation, escape routes, and weapons caches. He condemned the attack as a deliberate act targeting innocent civilians, including children.
The FSB, Russia’s federal security service, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the pre-planned nature of the attack. They claimed the weapons were stashed in advance and pointed fingers at Ukraine – a claim denied by Zelenskyy and contradicted by the later ISIS claim.
The U.S. had reportedly warned Russia in early March about a potential terrorist attack in Moscow, possibly targeting large gatherings. The State Department confirmed intelligence on such a plot, leading them to issue a public advisory for U.S. citizens in Russia. This aligns with the U.S.’s established policy of “duty to warn” friendly nations.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the attack, offering condolences to the victims and pledging solidarity with the Russian people.
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