Unsubstantiated Claim of ISIS Involvement in Moscow Concert Hall Attack
ISIS has claimed responsibility for an assault at a popular concert hall complex near Moscow on Friday, where attackers armed with guns and incendiary devices stormed the venue. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people and left 145 injured.
The terrorist group asserted its involvement in the attack through a brief statement released by an ISIS-affiliated news agency, Amaq, on Telegram on Friday. However, there was no evidence provided to support the claim of responsibility made by ISIS for the attack.
Footage from the Crocus City Hall depicts the extensive complex, housing both a music hall and a shopping center, engulfed in flames with smoke rising into the sky. According to reports from the state-run RIA Novosti, the armed assailants unleashed gunfire with automatic weapons and deployed either a grenade or an incendiary bomb, igniting a fire.
Subsequently, they purportedly fled the scene in a white Renault car, as reported by the news agency. State media outlet Russia 24 reported that the roof of the venue had partially collapsed. More than six hours after the incident, the fire had largely been brought under control. Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov stated on Telegram, “There are still some pockets of fire, but the fire has been mostly eliminated.”
Violent Attack Strikes Moscow Amidst Putin’s Re-Election Victory
Friday’s assault, deemed the deadliest terror attack on Moscow in decades, occurred less than a week after President Vladimir Putin secured another term in office through a stage-managed election, reinforcing his control over the country he has governed since the early 2000s.
Amidst the backdrop of Russia’s conflict with neighboring Ukraine, Putin had emphasized a message of national security in the lead-up to the election. The violence erupted prior to a concert by the band Picnic, as reported by Russia 24.
The Prosecutor General’s Office, as cited by TASS, stated, “Unidentified individuals in camouflage attire broke into Crocus City Hall and initiated gunfire before the concert began.”
Video footage captured scenes of panic as the attack unfolded, depicting crowds of people huddling together, screaming, and taking cover behind cushioned seats as gunshots reverberated throughout the expansive hall. In one harrowing moment, a group seeking refuge next to a large wall of windows outside the concert venue was compelled to shatter the glass to escape the gunfire, as evidenced by video obtained by CNN.
Rapid Response and Recovery Efforts Following Moscow Concert Hall Attack
Additionally, footage analyzed and geolocated by CNN revealed an armed individual initiating at least one fire within the venue. The individual can be observed carrying an object in their hand, and as they move out of view, a bright flash of light emanating from a sizable flame is visible in the video.
A SWAT team swiftly responded to the area, and over 70 ambulance teams alongside doctors provided assistance to the victims. As reported by TASS, 145 individuals have been hospitalized, with 60 of them in serious condition. The Kremlin has stated that President Putin was briefed on the attack and is continuously updated on the ongoing measures on the ground.
President Putin expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack on Saturday, as stated by the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency. Additionally, he conveyed his gratitude to the medical professionals, as reported by RIA. Approximately 100 individuals were safely evacuated from the building by firefighters, according to TASS.
Unity and Support Amidst Tragedy
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as a “terrible tragedy” and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He emphasized providing all necessary assistance to those affected by the incident, as stated in his statement. Mayor Sobyanin announced on Telegram the cancellation of all sports, cultural, and public events in Moscow for the weekend. Picnic’s manager confirmed to state media that the performers were unharmed.
Shaman, the band’s lead singer, pledged to cover the funeral expenses for the victims and provide treatment for the injured. In a video posted on the Russian social media platform Vkontakte to his extensive following of over 600,000, he emphasized unity in the face of adversity and resilience, reflecting on Russia’s history of overcoming challenges.
I recommend not to forget the information context of the terrorist attack in the #Moscow region (#CrocusCityHall).
The previous morning the horrifying results of a massive missile/drone strike on #Ukraine (90 missiles of various modifications + 60 long-range drones) became…
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 23, 2024
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