The deadly attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow left 137 people dead and more than 180 others injured. The attack began just before a concert by the band Picnic, with gunmen firing automatic weapons and setting the concert hall on fire. Four suspects, identified as Tajik nationals, were arrested in Russia’s Bryansk region and charged with carrying out the terrorist act. They appeared in court showing signs of severe beatings. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which was confirmed by U.S. intelligence officials, although Ukraine denied any involvement.
The concert hall, part of a large entertainment complex in Moscow, became a scene of chaos and tragedy as gunmen entered, firing at anyone nearby. Videos captured the panic and fear as people tried to escape, with some hiding behind seats and trying to crawl towards exits. The band Picnic never made it onstage, and survivors described the uncertainty and terror of not knowing where to go or what to do. A massive fire raged inside the building as ambulances, police, and firetrucks arrived on the scene. A special force of the Russian National Guard searched for the gunmen as authorities investigated the attack as a terrorist act. The building was eventually engulfed in flames, with explosions reported inside.
Russian officials, including Moscow regional Gov. Andrei Vorobyov and Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, arrived at the scene to assess the situation. Security was tightened across Russia, with big events canceled and malls evacuated in St. Petersburg. President Vladimir Putin did not make any statements on Friday night, but the Kremlin issued a brief statement saying he was informed of the shooting and had issued necessary orders. The death toll continued to rise as more bodies were discovered at the concert hall, prompting Putin to address the nation on Saturday afternoon.
Discussions about who was responsible for the attack swirled, with authorities in Ukraine and the U.S. denying involvement. An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility, but some Russian state media dismissed it as fake. Russian authorities sought to tie Ukraine to the attack, reporting arrests of gunmen in the border region of Bryansk with alleged connections to Ukraine. Putin called the attack a terrorist act and hinted at Ukrainian involvement, without directly blaming Kyiv. He did not announce any drastic measures in response to the attack. The suspects, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in court for pretrial hearings showing signs of injuries.
Sunday was declared a day of national mourning in Russia, with flags lowered to half-staff and events canceled. A steady stream of people visited a makeshift memorial at the burned-out Crocus City Hall to pay their respects to the victims. The four suspects, one in a wheelchair and hospital gown, appeared in court for their pretrial hearings. Two of the suspects admitted guilt, although questions were raised about the conditions under which they confessed. The suspects face charges of carrying out a terrorist act and a potential life sentence. The investigation into the deadly attack continues as Russia mourns the tragic loss of life.
