Moscow:
Russia said today that the terrorists who attacked a Moscow concert hall used automatic weapons and “flammable liquids” to cause chaos. The attackers set fire to the building during the shooting, killing 115 people. Investigators also believe the attackers had ties to Ukraine.
“Following the terrorist attack, the criminals intended to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border and have appropriate contacts with the Ukrainian side,” the state-run TASS news agency quoted the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying after announcing the arrests of 11 people beyond the attack.
attack
Four attackers disguised as Kalashnikov assault rifles arrived at Krokus City Hall in a minivan around 7:40 p.m. They began shooting civilians at close range with automatic weapons.
Witnesses said they fired at people through a glass door near the venue’s entrance turnstiles before continuing toward the concert hall.
Video from the scene showed the attacker methodically shooting at concertgoers as people rushed for the exits.
One witness, who asked not to be named, told Reuters: “Suddenly, there was a loud noise behind us – gunshots. A burst of gunfire – I don’t know what it was.”
“There was a stampede. Everyone was running towards the escalators,” the witness said. “Everyone was screaming; everyone was running.”
Other videos from the scene showed people taking their seats in the lobby before rushing for the exits, with screams echoing as gunfire echoed.
The attackers then set fire to the concert hall and poured flammable liquid on the curtains and chairs.
The fire spread to nearly 13,000 square meters and took several hours to bring under control. The roof of the concert hall collapsed.
death toll
Authorities said the attack killed 115 people, but the death toll was likely higher. Russia’s Investigative Committee, which investigates major crimes, said the death toll was climbing to 150.
“There are currently 115 confirmed deaths. The death toll is expected to rise,” the company said in a statement posted on Telegram.
Islamic State claimed responsibility
The Islamic State group, which has sought to control large swaths of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack.
“Islamic State militants attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow, killing hundreds and inflicting damage to the area before they could safely retreat to their base,” the group said in a statement. caused huge damage,” the statement posted on Telegram.
The incident comes just weeks after the United States warned Russian extremists of an imminent attack on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly dismissed the warnings three days ago, calling them propaganda aimed at intimidating Russian citizens.
Ukraine link
Russian intelligence said the attackers and contacts in Ukraine had faced Russian military offensives over the past two years. Authorities said the attacker was trying to flee to Ukraine when he was arrested.
Russian Federal Broadcasting Corporation said, “Criminals intend to cross the border between Russia and Ukraine and have appropriate contacts with the Ukrainian side.”
Ukraine denied this and said it had “no involvement” in the attack.
The Main Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that “the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian secret service on orders from Putin,” claiming that its purpose was to “further escalate and expand the war with Ukraine.”
