Moscow: In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the deadly assault on a Moscow concert hall, which claimed the lives of 143 individuals, as a ‘barbaric terrorist act’. Additionally, he announced March 24 as a day of national mourning in the country.
“I am speaking to you today in connection with the bloody, barbaric terrorist act, the victims of which were dozens of innocent, peaceful people. … I declare 24 March a day of national mourning,” stated Putin.
The Russian leader also pledged severe repercussions for those responsible for the attack. “All four perpetrators of the terrorist attack who shot and killed people have been detained…Terrorists, murderers, non-humans will face the unenviable fate of retribution and oblivion,” he declared, highlighting the implementation of heightened security measures across the nation.
Read More: Russia Successfully Apprehends All Crocus Terrorists
Ukraine’s Alleged Involvement
During his initial remarks following the tragic incident, Putin hinted at a possible link between Ukraine and the Moscow attack. He suggested that the four detained assailants had attempted to flee towards Ukraine. Moreover, preliminary information indicated that certain individuals on the Ukrainian side had facilitated the attackers’ border crossing from Russia, as reported by Reuters.
However, a spokesperson for Kyiv’s military intelligence agency vehemently denied any Ukrainian involvement, dismissing Putin’s assertions as baseless. “This is of course another lie from the Russian special services, which has nothing in common with reality and does not stand up against any criticism…Ukraine was of course not involved in this terror attack,” stated Andriy Yusov, from Ukraine’s defence Ministry’s main directorate of intelligence, to Reuters.
The Moscow Terror Assault
The horrifying assault unfolded when a group of armed assailants stormed into the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, unleashing gunfire and detonating explosives on Friday. The death toll climbed to 143, as reported by Reuters, with several videos circulating on social media depicting the attackers callously shooting civilians at close range as they prepared for a concert by a Soviet-era rock group. The assailants further exacerbated the carnage by setting fire to the concert hall, dousing curtains and chairs with a flammable substance before igniting them. Footage on social media captured billowing smoke and flames engulfing the venue.
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Read More: ISIS Claims Responsibility for Deadly Attack At Moscow Concert Venue
Earlier in the day, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the horrific attack, though no supporting evidence was provided.
