Insights into the Recent Moscow Concert Hall Terrorist Incident
The recent terrorist attack in Moscow has shaken Russia, marking it as the most severe assault in twenty years. The assault involved armed attackers targeting a well-known concert venue complex located on the outskirts of the capital city.
Russia is still recovering from its most devastating terrorist attack in many years. Several individuals have been arrested in relation to the incident. The attack involved armed attackers invading a well-known concert venue on the edge of the capital city, resulting in the tragic loss of over 130 lives.
Here’s what we know.
What happened?
Gun-wielding attackers targeted the Crocus City complex, where a music hall and shopping center are located, on Friday night.
The auditorium was filled with concert-goers waiting for a show by the band Picnic, with 6,500 tickets sold. However, instead of enjoying the rock music, chaos erupted as the attackers unleashed violence.
Panicked bystanders recorded the moment gunmen, dressed in camouflage and armed with automatic weapons, began shooting randomly. The videos captured concert attendees screaming and taking cover behind seats, while some gathered together as gunshots rang out in the hall.
As the chaos unfolded, a group of people seeking refuge near a large wall of windows outside the concert hall had to smash through them to flee from the gunfire, as seen in footage obtained by CNN.
An unidentified man who lived through the attack recounted how the gunmen entered the concert hall and began shooting at everyone present.
In an interview with Ostorozhno Novosti, published by Reuters, the witness shared his experience of being in the hall upstairs with balconies. He mentioned that they initially heard gunshots and were confused about what was happening. Furthermore, he mentioned that the attackers threw a Molotov cocktail, causing everything to catch fire.
The band’s manager later told state media that the performers were unharmed.
A SWAT team was called to the area and more than 70 ambulance teams and doctors assisted victims.
Fires were still burning at Crocus City on Saturday and the roof of the venue had partially collapsed. Nearly 500 personnel were working to dismantle rubble at the scene, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said.
Law enforcement officers outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following the attack on Friday.
Law enforcement officers outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following the attack on Friday.
Yulia Morozova/Reuters
At least 133 individuals have lost their lives at the extensive complex, as reported by Russia's Investigative Committee on Saturday. Emergency responders are still working at the site, and officials anticipate the number of casualties to increase.
Furthermore, over 100 people were hurt in the attack, with a number of them in critical condition, including two children.
Governor of Moscow region, Andrey Vorobyov, announced on Saturday that the victims of the tragedy will be provided with financial assistance from the region and city authorities.
Relatives of the deceased will be given three million rubles ($32,500) each. Those who were injured and hospitalized will receive one million rubles ($10,840).
Furthermore, children in the Moscow region who lost a parent in the tragedy will receive monthly payments. All funeral expenses will be covered, and any legal matters will be taken care of," Vorobyov stated.
A woman lays flowers at a makeshift memorial on Saturday.
A woman lays flowers at a makeshift memorial on Saturday.
Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images
Who was behind the attack?
ISIS took credit for the attack in a brief message released by the ISIS-linked Amaq news agency on Telegram last Friday.
The next day, the terrorist group shared a photo via Amaq claiming to depict the four individuals involved in the assault. However, none of the men in the image could be identified as they were all wearing balaclavas and their faces were blurred.
ISIS called the attack the "most intense in years," as reported by the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks terrorist organizations' messages.
Amaq shared information about the attack, stating that three attackers used guns and knives on the crowd, while the fourth threw incendiary devices. The group mentioned that the attack followed a period of thorough surveillance of the location.
SITE's translation revealed that the attack was part of the ongoing conflict between the Islamic State and countries opposing their beliefs.
Prior to the concert hall attack, the United States had cautioned Moscow about the ISIS militants' intentions to strike Russia.
Earlier in the month, the US embassy in Russia issued a warning about potential threats to large gatherings in Moscow, such as concerts. They advised US citizens to steer clear of these areas for their safety.
A Russian law enforcement officer near the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a shooting incident on March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
A Russian law enforcement officer near the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a shooting incident on March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Related article
US had warned Russia ISIS was determined to attack
The US government shared information with Russian authorities as part of their duty to warn policy, according to US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
However, in a speech on Tuesday, Putin criticized the American warnings, calling them provocative and accusing the US of attempting to blackmail and intimidate Russian society.
The scale of the tragedy would be very embarrassing for the Russian leader, who had emphasized national security just a week before during the country’s controlled election.
In March alone, Russia has prevented multiple ISIS-related incidents, as reported by RIA Novosti.
There have been at least four reported incidents across Russia that local authorities said involved people connected to ISIS, according to RIA.
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ISIS claims responsibility for attack in busy Moscow-area concert hall
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What else is Russia saying?
Putin offered his heartfelt sympathies after the shooting, calling it a "violent and savage act" in a video message issued on Saturday.
He thanked the emergency responders for their efforts in rescuing people and ensuring their safety amidst the chaos, and mentioned that authorities are currently investigating the incident to gather more information.
Russian state media previously announced that Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Russian Security Service, informed the Russian leader about the detention of 11 individuals linked to the attack.
According to TASS and other state media outlets, the Kremlin has confirmed that four individuals suspected of direct involvement in the attack were apprehended while attempting to cross the border into Ukraine.
Putin blamed Ukraine for the deadly attack in a video statement released Saturday. He claimed that a "window" was prepared for attackers to escape to Ukraine. The Russian leader also described the incident as a "barbaric terrorist attack." He expressed deep condolences and declared Sunday a national day of mourning.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Telegram that the attackers planned to hide in Ukraine. She referred to them as "bloody bastards."
Ukraine strongly denied any involvement, stating that the accusations were a deliberate provocation by the Kremlin to stoke anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Russian society and tarnish Ukraine's reputation internationally. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized this stance on Friday.
On the same day, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence claimed, without providing evidence, that the attack was orchestrated by Russian special services to justify further military action against Ukraine.
The international response to the attack has been quick and strong. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed condemnation, stating that the UK strongly condemns the deadly terrorist attack. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also joined in, expressing that his nation's thoughts are with the families of the victims and those injured.
French President Emmanuel Macron showed support for all Russians, while India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also condemned the attack.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his sympathies to Putin on Saturday for the tragic terrorist attack that resulted in many casualties, as reported by Chinese state media.
The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack as "heinous and cowardly," with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing his strongest possible condemnation of the incident.
Reporting on the incident was contributed by CNN journalists Anna Chernova, Darya Tarasova, Tim Lister, Mariya Knight, Mia Alberti, Jennifer Hauser, Paul Murphy, Matthew Chance, Mary Kay Mallonee, Katherine Grise, and Chris Lau.
Editor's P/S:
The terrorist attack at the Crocus City concert venue in Russia is a horrific tragedy that has claimed the lives of over 130 innocent people. The
