Over 130 individuals were killed in an assault at a concert hall close to Moscow on Friday, as per authorities.
Russian officials have arrested 11 people connected to the event, including four directly linked to the deadliest act of terrorism in Moscow in over ten years.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks. U.S. officials have attributed the attack to ISIS-K, a branch active in Afghanistan.
This is the information we currently have:
Armed individuals with firearms and explosives raided the Crocus City complex just before a concert was set to take place at the 6,000-seat hall, indiscriminately shooting at attendees.
At least three of the gunmen were also dressed in camouflage, as seen in video footage from the scene.
The building was filled with smoke, leading to civilian deaths from poisoning, and part of the roof collapsed due to the spread of fire.
Firefighters were sent to the scene and managed to control the fire early Saturday morning.
The attack and subsequent fire caused damage to the seats and structure of the Crocus City Hall music venue.
Firefighters were photographed and recorded working through the debris.
Russia's emergency service released posted pictures and videos of firefighters working through the debris.
Death toll
Russian authorities updated the death toll to over 133 on Saturday.
Around 140 people were also injured in the attack.
Officials expect the number of casualties to rise as emergency responders continue their work.
Most of the identified victims were in their 40s and had traveled to see Russian rock band Piknik, who was scheduled to perform on Friday evening.
Islamic State claims responsibility
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post on Friday.
The Islamic State-Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, is a branch of the group based in Afghanistan, and they have allegedly been planning an attack on Moscow.
ISIS also claimed This group also claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 84 people in Kerman, Iran, in January.
Russian authorities stated on Saturday that at least four of the suspected gunmen were foreign nationals.
Debate over Ukraine involvement
Speculation in Russia has emerged about Ukraine's potential role in the attack due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin contributed to the rhetoric in his first public statement after the incident.
Putin stated on Saturday, according to The Times, that the captured gunmen were trying to move towards Ukraine and had been facilitated by the Ukrainian side.
“Preliminary information suggests that a route for crossing the border was arranged for them by the Ukrainian side,” Putin mentioned.
Ukrainian officials have denied any involvement.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that his country was not responsible for the attack and that using terrorism does not solve problems.
“Ukraine definitely had no involvement in the shooting/explosions at the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia),” Podolyak said wrote in a Friday post on X, previously known as Twitter. “It is completely nonsensical.”
“First of all, Ukraine has been in conflict with the Russian army for more than two years. The outcome of this war will be determined on the battlefield only. It will be decided by the quantity of weapons and strategic military decisions. Acts of terrorism do not resolve any issues…” he continued.
White House national security adviser John Kirby also rejected the speculation of Ukraine’s involvement in the attack.
“The images are extremely distressing. It is very difficult to watch, and our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack,” Kirby said on Friday. “There is no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting.”
Response to the attack
Putin tried to link the attackers to Ukraine and stated that the gunmen would be punished.
During his Saturday address, he did not mention the Islamic group claiming responsibility for the attack or the U.S. officials who made the same statement.
Putin accused Ukraine of preparing the border to allow attackers to cross, as they were detained in the Bryansk region, according to Russian authorities. The region borders Ukraine.
“All perpetrators, organizers, and executors of this crime will face a fair and inevitable punishment,” Putin said in his speech. “No matter who they are, no matter who guided them, I repeat, we will identify and punish everyone behind the terrorists.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the attack on Saturday in a post on X, describing it as a “horrific event.”
“The United States strongly denounces the March 22 terrorist attack in Moscow. We stand in solidarity with the people of Russia as they mourn the loss of life following this horrific event,” Blinken said.
