The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a devastating attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow on Friday, which left at least 60 people dead and 145 hospitalized. The assault, carried out by armed individuals wielding automatic weapons and incendiary devices, marks the deadliest terror attack on the Russian capital in decades.
According to state media reports, the attackers stormed the venue before the start of a concert by the Russian band Picnic, opening fire on the crowd and throwing grenades or incendiary bombs, which sparked a fire. Video footage from the scene shows the vast complex, which houses both the music hall and a shopping center, engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing into the air.
Panic ensued as concertgoers huddled together, screaming and ducking behind seats to escape the gunfire. Some were forced to break windows to flee the venue. The Russia Prosecutor General's Office stated, "Unidentified people in camouflage broke into Crocus City Hall and started shooting before the start of the concert."
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a brief statement published by its affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram. The U.S. government had previously warned of a potential terrorist attack targeting large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, and shared this information with Russian authorities.
Business Times has been able to verify the claim made by ISIS.
Regional governor Andrey Vorobyov said everything was being done to save people in the aftermath of the attack. More than 70 ambulance teams and doctors were assisting victims, with 145 people hospitalized, 60 of whom are in serious condition. Firefighters evacuated around 100 people from the building, while rescuers worked to retrieve others from the roof.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the attack and is being kept updated on the situation. In a statement, he wished those injured a speedy recovery and conveyed his gratitude to the doctors. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack a "terrible tragedy" and ordered the cancellation of all sports, cultural, and other public events in Moscow this weekend.
The attack comes near the end of a month in which Russian authorities reported thwarting several ISIS-related incidents. Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia for more than two years, denied any involvement in the attack. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said he believed Russia would use the attack to justify the ongoing conflict and scale up operations as part of "military propaganda" in Ukraine.
International leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the attack and expressed their solidarity with the victims and the Russian people.
As Moscow reels from this devastating attack, questions arise about the security measures in place and the ongoing threat posed by ISIS. The incident is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Russia's domestic security and its approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as its relations with the international community.
