President promises to track down those behind ‘barbaric terrorist attack’ after at least 133 killed in concert hall attack
Welcome to our latest live coverage of the aftermath of the concert hall massacre in Moscow. The official death toll stands at 133. Here’s an overview of the latest:
Russia will observe a national day of mourning on Sunday after the country’s deadliest attack for almost two decades.
A US national security council spokesperson said Islamic State bore sole responsibility for the attack and there was no Ukrainian involvement “whatsoever”. Adrienne Watson said that the US government a few weeks ago shared information with Russia about a planned attack in Moscow and issued a public advisory to Americans in Russia on 7 March.
Several security analysts have said Islamic State’s claim of responsibility appears to be plausible and fits with a pattern of previous marauding attacks by Islamist militants.
The owner of the Crocus City Hall has said the building will be restored. “We will never forget those who fell victims to terrorists. What was destroyed by their dirty hands will be restored,” Crocus Group said in a statement.
Islamic State released what it said was footage of the attack. The 1.31-minute video, released on Saturday on the group’s Telegram channels, shows a closeup view of one of the gunmen opening fire on several people as he enters what appears to be the concert hall.
The four suspected gunmen arrested were all foreign citizens, Russia’s interior ministry said.
Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov told Reuters: “Ukraine was of course not involved in this terror attack. Ukraine is defending its sovereignty from Russian invaders, liberating its own territory and is fighting with the occupiers’ army and military targets, not civilians.”
Images from inside the venue show the auditorium has been completely gutted by fire and the roof has collapsed. Russian authorities say people died both from gunshot wounds and the effects of the fire.
Continue reading…President promises to track down those behind ‘barbaric terrorist attack’ after at least 133 killed in concert hall attackWelcome to our latest live coverage of the aftermath of the concert hall massacre in Moscow. The official death toll stands at 133. Here’s an overview of the latest:Russia will observe a national day of mourning on Sunday after the country’s deadliest attack for almost two decades.A US national security council spokesperson said Islamic State bore sole responsibility for the attack and there was no Ukrainian involvement “whatsoever”. Adrienne Watson said that the US government a few weeks ago shared information with Russia about a planned attack in Moscow and issued a public advisory to Americans in Russia on 7 March.Several security analysts have said Islamic State’s claim of responsibility appears to be plausible and fits with a pattern of previous marauding attacks by Islamist militants.The owner of the Crocus City Hall has said the building will be restored. “We will never forget those who fell victims to terrorists. What was destroyed by their dirty hands will be restored,” Crocus Group said in a statement.Islamic State released what it said was footage of the attack. The 1.31-minute video, released on Saturday on the group’s Telegram channels, shows a closeup view of one of the gunmen opening fire on several people as he enters what appears to be the concert hall.The four suspected gunmen arrested were all foreign citizens, Russia’s interior ministry said.Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov told Reuters: “Ukraine was of course not involved in this terror attack. Ukraine is defending its sovereignty from Russian invaders, liberating its own territory and is fighting with the occupiers’ army and military targets, not civilians.”Images from inside the venue show the auditorium has been completely gutted by fire and the roof has collapsed. Russian authorities say people died both from gunshot wounds and the effects of the fire. Continue reading…