The agency revealed this information on Saturday, adding that 11 suspects have been apprehended in connection with the attack, four of whom were directly involved in the horrific incident.
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, President Putin condemned the massacre, describing it as "a bloody, barbaric terrorist act." He declared Sunday, March 24, a day of mourning in response to the tragedy. The President also announced that additional security measures have been implemented across the country in the aftermath of the attack, which is the deadliest Russia has experienced in over two decades.
March 24, 2024
"All four direct perpetrators of the terrorist attack, all those who shot and killed people, were found and detained," Putin stated. "They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them from the Ukrainian side to cross the state border."
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The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack via a statement on its affiliated social media channels. This claim has been confirmed by U.S. intelligence, as reported by several media outlets. In response to these developments, Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation into the attack.
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However, President Putin suggested a potential Ukrainian link to the massacre, a claim that has been vehemently denied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The attack began unexpectedly when armed men in combat gear stormed Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, where fans had gathered to enjoy a performance by the Russian band Picnic. Videos circulating online show the gunmen opening fire on attendees at close range and setting off smoke bombs.
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The attackers also hurled explosives into the concert hall during the attack, causing the building to shake and catch fire, as reported by Russian media. While evacuation efforts were underway, some individuals remained trapped inside the burning building.
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The roof of the theater collapsed in the early hours of Saturday morning as firefighters battled the flames for hours. In the wake of the tragedy, Russians have been laying flowers at memorials and queuing to donate blood.
President Putin stated that the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia and other law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to identify the entire terrorist support base. "Those who provided them with transport, planned escape routes from the crime scene, prepared caches, caches of weapons and ammunition," Putin said.
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"It is already obvious that we are faced not just with a carefully and cynically planned terrorist attack, but with the organized mass murder of peaceful, defenseless people. The criminals were cold-blooded and purposefully going to kill, shoot our citizens at point-blank range - our children."
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The FSB has confirmed that the attack was meticulously planned. "The weapons that the terrorists used had been placed in a cache in advance," the FSB noted.
The FSB has been attributing blame to Ukraine, with Russia's Investigative Committee stating that four suspects were apprehended in the Bryansk region of western Russia, "not far from the border with Ukraine."
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The suspects had planned to cross the border into Ukraine and "had contacts" there, according to state news agency Tass, citing Russia’s FSB.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any Ukrainian involvement before ISIS claimed responsibility. "Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia). It makes no sense whatsoever," he said on social media.
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The attack occurred just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin solidified his hold on power in another electoral landslide. The attack was the deadliest in Russia in years and came as the country’s conflict in Ukraine entered its third year.
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President Putin has wished all those injured a speedy recovery and commended the medical staff, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said.
Russian special services are still conducting search operations. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has canceled all mass events in the capital for the next two days, and several other Russian regions have followed suit.
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