In a horrifying assault claimed by Islamic State militants, gunmen dressed in camouflage opened fire on concertgoers with automatic weapons on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 individuals and leaving 145 others wounded. This marks the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.
The assailants indiscriminately fired upon civilians just moments before the Soviet-era rock group “Picnic” was scheduled to perform to a packed audience at the Crocus City Hall, a 6,200-seat venue located just west of Moscow.
Verified video footage depicted the chaos unfolding as attendees scrambled for safety amidst the hail of gunfire. Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as people fled towards exits, with some victims tragically lying motionless in pools of blood.
Russian authorities reported a death toll exceeding 60, with around 145 individuals sustaining injuries, approximately 60 of whom are in critical condition.
The attackers’ weaponry, including Kalashnikov automatic rifles, multiple spare magazines, and spent bullet casings, were displayed in images released by Russian investigators.
Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for the assault, asserting that their fighters targeted the outskirts of Moscow, inflicting casualties and causing extensive damage before retreating to safety. The United States confirmed intelligence supporting Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack.
This atrocity comes amidst heightened tensions, with recent warnings from the U.S. embassy in Russia regarding potential extremist threats in Moscow. Additionally, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) recently thwarted an attempted attack on a Moscow synagogue by ISIS-Khorasan, ISIS’s affiliate in Afghanistan.
World leaders have condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with Russia in the face of terrorism. The United Nations Security Council denounced the assault as a “heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.”
In response to the tragedy, Russia has bolstered security measures across the capital and canceled large-scale public events nationwide. President Vladimir Putin, who was promptly briefed on the situation, continues to receive updates as the investigation unfolds.
As flames engulfed the Crocus City Hall, emergency services worked tirelessly to evacuate civilians and contain the blaze. The scale of destruction and loss has deeply shaken the nation, prompting condolences from global allies and a resolute call for unity against terrorism.
