The death toll from the terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow last week has risen to 143, making it the deadliest extremist attack on Russian soil in nearly two decades. The attack, carried out by at least four gunmen armed with automatic rifles, targeted thousands of concertgoers at Crocus City Hall, setting the venue on fire. An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the violence, with U.S. intelligence also confirming the group’s involvement. French President Emmanuel Macron also stated that France had intelligence linking the attack to an Islamic State entity.
Following the attack, around 80 people remain hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the siege. Russian authorities have increased security measures in response to the incident, with the Federal Security Service (FSB) arresting 11 individuals, including four suspected gunmen who are Tajik nationals. The men appeared in a Moscow court on terrorism charges, showing signs of severe beatings. Russian officials have accused Ukraine and Western countries of involvement in the attack, claims that Kyiv strongly denies. FSB Chief Alexander Bortnikov alleged that Western spy agencies may have been involved and reiterated Putin’s claim that the suspects were attempting to flee to Ukraine when apprehended.
Despite Russian allegations of outside involvement, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko contradicted these claims by stating that the suspects were heading to Ukraine out of fear of border controls in Belarus. The Islamic State group, which has targeted Russia in the past, has suffered losses in territories following Russian military action in Syria. The group has claimed multiple attacks in Russia’s Caucasus region and elsewhere, recruiting fighters from Russia and other former Soviet states. The United States had warned Russia of a possible imminent attack two weeks before the massacre, to which Putin responded by criticizing the Embassy’s advisory as an attempt to scare Russians before the presidential election.
In response to the attack, Russian officials are ramping up efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen security measures across the country. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko reported that 80 individuals remained hospitalized following the incident, while another 205 sought medical treatment. The Moscow court hearing for the suspects arrested by the FSB revealed the severity of the situation, as the accused showed visible signs of mistreatment. Despite ongoing investigations and arrests, Russian authorities continue to point fingers at Ukraine and Western countries for potential involvement in the attack. The aftermath of the tragedy has prompted international condemnation and calls for united efforts to combat terrorism.
