Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has announced that all four gunmen responsible for the recent terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall have been apprehended.
Speaking to the nation, Putin revealed that the attackers were fleeing towards Ukraine.
Putin claimed that the gunmen attempted to hide and move towards Ukraine, where a window was allegedly prepared for them to cross the state border.
However, Kyiv vehemently denied any involvement, accusing Russia of exploiting the tragedy to garner support for the ongoing war.
In response to the attack, Putin declared March 24th as a day of mourning and extended condolences to the families of the more than 100 people killed, marking the deadliest attack in the country in 20 years.
He emphasized that terrorists and killers would face punishment, asserting that their actions would not divide the nation.
Despite the Kremlin’s insistence on linking the attack to Ukraine, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility. US intelligence confirmed the group’s involvement and warned Moscow.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denied any involvement, stating that Ukraine has never resorted to terrorist methods.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry also refuted the accusations, alleging that Moscow used the attack to stoke anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
Images shared by Russian state media depicted emergency vehicles outside the ruins of Crocus City Hall, where the attack took place. Videos posted online showed gunmen shooting civilians and throwing explosive devices, resulting in a devastating fire.
The IS’s Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack, targeting a gathering of “Christians” in Krasnogorsk. However, the authenticity of the claim remains unverified.
US intelligence agencies had gathered information indicating that the IS branch was planning an attack in Moscow. Messages of outrage, shock, and support for the victims poured in from around the world.
The UN Security Council condemned the terrorist attack, emphasizing the need to hold the perpetrators accountable. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.
Hundreds of people in Moscow lined up to donate blood and plasma in solidarity with the victims and their families. Putin denounced Western warnings of a potential terrorist attack as attempts to intimidate Russians, labelling it as open blackmail.
In October 2015, IS downed a Russian passenger plane over Sinai, killing 224 people. The group, operating mainly in Syria and Iraq, has also claimed several attacks in Russia’s volatile regions.
IS recruited fighters from Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union, posing a continued threat to national security.
Putin’s extended presidency, following a crackdown on dissent, reflects the challenges of maintaining stability amidst security threats.
In conclusion, the recent terrorist attack in Moscow underscores the ongoing battle against extremism and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.
