In the aftermath of a devastating attack on a concert hall in Moscow, Russian authorities have detained 11 individuals, according to state media reports on Saturday. The assault, which occurred on Friday, resulted in a tragic loss of at least 115 lives, with over 140 others sustaining injuries.
The Russian Investigative Committee disclosed that four of the detained individuals were directly implicated in the assault that left the Crocus City Hall, a sprawling shopping mall and music venue, in ruins with a collapsed roof.
Images circulated by Russian state media showcased a significant presence of emergency vehicles surrounding the devastated venue, located in Krasnogorsk on the western outskirts of Moscow.
The assault unfolded shortly after President Vladimir Putin secured a resounding victory in an extensively orchestrated electoral process, consolidating his authority. This attack stands as one of the deadliest incidents in Russia in recent memory, occurring amidst the country’s prolonged involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
The head of Russia’s federal security service (FSB) briefed President Putin on the developments surrounding the arrests on Saturday, as reported by Russia’s state news agency Tass.
Videos circulating online captured harrowing scenes of gunmen within the venue, targeting civilians at close range. Among the deceased, reports indicate the tragic loss of at least three children. The roof of the concert hall, where attendees had gathered for a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic, collapsed during the early hours of Saturday as firefighters battled flames ignited during the assault.
Although the Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement disseminated through affiliated social media channels, neither the Kremlin nor Russian security agencies have officially attributed blame.
In response to the attack, messages of solidarity, outrage, and support have poured in from across the globe. The UN Security Council swiftly condemned the assault as “heinous and cowardly,” emphasizing the imperative of holding the perpetrators accountable.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, hundreds of individuals queued up on Saturday morning to donate blood and plasma, as announced by Russia’s health ministry.
President Putin, who recently extended his tenure following a contentious presidential vote marred by a crackdown on dissent, had previously dismissed Western warnings of potential terrorist threats as efforts to intimidate the Russian populace.
The tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by terrorism, underscoring the imperative of collective efforts to combat extremism and safeguard communities worldwide.
In October 2015, ISIS claimed responsibility for downing a Russian passenger plane over Sinai, resulting in the loss of 224 lives. The group, operating primarily in conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq, has also orchestrated attacks in various regions, including Russia’s volatile Caucasus, recruiting fighters from Russia and other former Soviet territories.