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- The attack occurred at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, where gunmen stormed a concert, opened fire, and set the building on fire, resulting in at least 137 deaths.
- ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing footage to support their claim.
- The United States had previously issued a warning about an imminent attack in Moscow, indicating extremist plans to target large gatherings.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the involvement of radical Islamists in the attack but also suggested Ukrainian involvement, questioning US motives in attributing the attack solely to ISIS.
- Putin highlighted that the attackers were apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine, raising questions about who might have been waiting for them there.
- The Kremlin refused to directly address ISIS’s claimed involvement and emphasized an ongoing investigation without endorsing any specific version of events.
- Russian officials expressed confidence in their security agencies despite concerns about the failure to prevent the attack despite prior warnings.
- The attack led to a significant loss of life, with many victims dying from gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation.
- Russia observed a national day of mourning, with tributes and memorials held across the country.
- Tajikistan’s President condemned the attack, as several of the suspects were reported to be Tajik citizens.
- French President Emmanuel Macron warned against Russia exploiting the attack to blame Ukraine.
- Rescuers continued to search for bodies and clear debris from the site of the attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his second address to the nation after the Moscow terror attack, acknowledged that Radical Islamists were behind the Crocus City Hall attack. However, President Putin also suggests that Ukraine is somehow involved in the March 22 deadly terror attack that killed 139 people and injured over 100. The Russian President also alleged that the United States is trying to convince others that Ukraine is not behind the terrorist attack.
ISIS-K Claims Responsibility
The Islamic State (ISIS-K) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow. The group made these claims shortly after the shooting, and later released footage of the incident, further asserting their involvement.
Intelligence Shared by US
The United States has asserted that it possesses intelligence confirming ISIS’s responsibility for the shooting. French President Emmanuel Macron also stated that his security apparatus has intelligence pointing towards “an IS entity” as the perpetrator of the attack.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, revealed that earlier in the month, the American government shared intelligence about a planned attack in Moscow. This information prompted the US embassy in Moscow to issue a warning regarding imminent plans for an attack, urging citizens to avoid large gatherings.
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In a press conference on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller affirmed the US’s commitment to sharing such intelligence with Russian authorities to prevent terrorist attacks.
Putin’s Response
President Putin addressed the nation following the attack, disclosing that four gunmen were apprehended while attempting to flee to the Ukraine border via car. They were detained in the Bryansk region, approximately 340 km southwest of Moscow.
While acknowledging the involvement of radical Islamists, Putin expressed suspicions regarding Ukraine’s involvement in the attack. He criticized the US’s efforts to convince other nations that Ukraine played no role in the terrorist act, questioning their intentions.
Putin emphasized the need to ascertain why the terrorists attempted to flee to Ukraine after committing the crime, and who awaited their arrival there. He suggested that those supporting the Kyiv regime should not become accomplices to terrorism, indicating a complex geopolitical dimension to the investigation.
In brief
As investigations continue into the tragic events at the Crocus City Hall, tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West persist. While ISIS-K claims responsibility, Putin’s remarks hint at broader political implications surrounding the attack. The international community watches closely as authorities work to uncover the truth behind this devastating act of terror
