Three gunmen attacked the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, opening fire with automatic weapons and detonating an explosive among the crowd. The explosives reportedly caused a fire at the venue which engulfed the entire roof. At the time of writing, at least 70 fatalities and over 100 injuries have been reported. The attack has been claimed by ISIS, specifically attributed to its branch in Afghanistan, according to reports.
A Significant Terrorist Attack has reportedly occurred at the Crocus Concert Hall in the Russian Capital of Moscow, with at least 4 Gunmen armed with Semi-Auto and Automatic Rifles said to have entered the Building while Shooting anyone that can be seen. Shortly after the First… pic.twitter.com/7RRrBYRyRg
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 22, 2024
The Roof of the Crocus Concert Hall has reportedly now begun to Collapse due to the ongoing Fire, while at least 150 Concertgoers are still said to be Trapped inside of the Building. pic.twitter.com/SDPDrQPVCA
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 22, 2024
In response, Russian security services have initiated a search for suspects from Ingushetia, a Russian republic, with at least one person detained in relation to the event. The Russian foreign ministry has requested intelligence from the United States, referencing a statement from the State Department two weeks prior about the risk of extremist attacks on large gatherings in Moscow.
US National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby expressed condolences to the victims’ families, emphasizing support in the aftermath of the attack. Meanwhile, the search for the perpetrators includes looking for a white Renault believed to have been used by approximately four terrorists to escape.
The aftermath of the attack has triggered a wide-ranging response from Russian authorities. Deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, has insinuated Ukraine’s involvement in the attack, framing it as an act of terrorism and sabotage. Medvedev’s statement underscored a retaliatory stance, advocating for the forceful and merciless response to terrorism, including potential actions against the Ukrainian government if fault is established.
In contrast, Ukrainian officials, including Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak and President Volodymyr Zelensky have vehemently denied any involvement in the attack, suggesting instead that it could be a false flag operation by Russia designed to discredit Ukraine, fuel anti-Ukrainian sentiment, and justify further mobilization.
The RDK, an anti-Putin militia made up of Russians, issued a statement attributing the use of terror against civilians as a tactic historically favored by Vladimir Putin. The statement highlighted a series of terrorist attacks within Russia, such as explosions on Kashirskoe Highway, in Volgodonsk, the Nord-Ost siege, and others, suggesting these incidents were used to justify wars, implement draconian laws, restrict freedoms, and expand the security forces’ powers. The RDK criticized the security infrastructure in Moscow, pointing out the failure of extensive surveillance systems to prevent the attack and the slow response of emergency services.
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