After the horrific Crocus concert hall attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a "barbaric terrorist act" on Saturday. While addressing the nation, Putin said that the four gunmen responsible for the attack had been arrested and vowed retribution to all those behind the act.
"Our enemies will not divide us," he said.
A day of mourning was declared on Sunday after the tragic incident.
The Russian president added that the attackers tried to escape towards Ukraine after the incident and the security has been tightened in response. Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak reiterated that Ukraine had nothing to do with the Moscow attack.
We expected Russian officials' version of the "Ukrainian trace" in the terrorist attack in #CrocusCityHall. Primitivism and predictability are ideal characteristics of the Russian security services. Once again, the #FSB confirms this... But it is still necessary to emphasize the…
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 23, 2024
Vladimir Putin has thanked emergency services and special services for their efforts after last night's attack in Moscow.
All those responsible will be punished, the president added. “All perpetrators, organisers and customers of this crime will suffer fair and inevitable punishment. Whoever they are, whoever guides them. I repeat, we will identify and punish everyone who stands behind the terrorists, who prepared this atrocity, this attack on Russia, on our people,” Putin said.
He also said that the Federal Security Service of Russia and other law enforcement agencies are working to identify and uncover the entire accomplice base of terrorists: those who provided them with transport, outlined escape routes from the crime scene, prepared caches, caches of weapons and ammunition.
The Russian interior ministry has issued a statement saying the attackers were "not Russian citizens". However, the ministry is yet to disclose more details relating to the nationality of the attackers.
Meanwhile, at least 143 people were killed after a group of armed men stormed into Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, opened fire, and detonated explosives.
According to the Kremlin, at least 11 people were detained in connection with the incident. Islamic State has claimed the responsibility for the attack. Over 100 people remain in hospital after the attack, with a few in critical condition. After a blood donation drive in Moscow, deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova said “there is enough medicine, blood, and dressing materials”.
The United States has condemned the attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that "We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event."
