In a tragic attack on a Moscow suburban concert hall, at least 139 people were killed by four camouflaged gunmen who stormed the building before a concert by the Piknik rock band. The attackers fired on concert-goers with automatic weapons and set fire to the venue, trapping many inside. More than 5,000 people were in the concert hall at the time of the attack. Scores of people hid or rushed towards exits to escape the bullets, with videos showing bodies and groups of screaming people. Rescuers are still searching for remains and 97 people remain hospitalized.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, posting graphic videos of the gunmen inside the venue. Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the attack to “radical Islamists” connected to neighboring Ukraine, which Moscow invaded in February 2022. The FSB security service said some of the perpetrators had fled towards the Ukraine border, and Ukraine accused the Kremlin of orchestrating the attack to justify an escalation in the war. The Kremlin has arrested 11 suspects, including the four assailants, charging them with terrorism and potentially life in prison.
Two of the detainees, Tajik nationals Rachabalizoda Saidakrami and Shamsidin Fariduni, had spent time in Turkey before the attack and entered Russia on the same flight from Istanbul. Turkish authorities also detained 147 people suspected of having links to IS extremists in nationwide raids. The US embassy had warned of a risk of extremists targeting mass gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, two weeks prior to the attack. Russian authorities criticized the US for not sharing this information, calling the attack a “monstrous crime.”
In a significant development, the suspects held in custody have been identified as citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, with some pleading guilty. Russia had previously announced the killing of six suspected Islamic State fighters in Ingushetia, a Muslim-majority republic in the Caucasus region. Russia has been the target of attacks by Islamic militants in the past, as well as mass killings with no clear political link. The attack on the concert hall was a horrific act of violence that has left many families devastated and has raised concerns about security measures at public events.
The tragic event at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk has resulted in a high death toll and numerous people still in the hospital. The attackers were quick and ruthless, causing chaos and fear among the concert-goers. As the investigation continues, the full extent of the terrorist attack and the motivations behind it will be revealed. The international community has condemned the violence unleashed by the Islamic State group and expressed solidarity with Russia in the face of such senseless acts of terror. The victims and their families deserve justice and support as they navigate the aftermath of this horrific tragedy.
