IS Claimed Responsibility For Moscow Concert Attack

In a statement posted on an affiliated channels on social media the so-called Islamic State group (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack on Friday night.

According to report, the death toll has risen to one hundred and fifteen after an attack by assailants who burst into a Moscow concert hall and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, Russian officials said.

The head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) told Russian President Vladimir Putin that four people directly involved in the attack on the Crocus City Hall on Moscow’s western edge were among 11 detained in the aftermath, Russian state news agency Tass said.

Russian agencies appeared to suggest the attack was linked to Ukraine, despite the IS claim. A US intelligence official told the Associated Press (AP) that American agencies had confirmed IS was responsible for the assault. 

The four suspects were stopped in the Bryansk region of western Russia, “not far from the border with Ukraine,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said. They planned to cross the border into Ukraine and “had contacts” there, state news agency Tass said, citing Russia’s FSB. 

At least three children were among those killed in the attack on Friday night at the hall in Krasnogorsk, Russian authorities said.

Images shared by Russian state media showed a fleet of emergency vehicles still gathered outside the ruins of the hall, a shopping mall and music venue with a capacity of more than 6000 people. 

The attack comes just days after Putin cemented his grip on power in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

A US intelligence official told the AP that American agencies had learned the group’s branch in Afghanistan was planning an attack in Moscow and had shared the information with Russian officials. 

The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic.

'A huge tragedy'

Messages of outrage, shock and support for those affected have since streamed in from around the world.

The UN Security Council condemned “the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack” and underlined the need for the perpetrators to be held accountable. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (below) also condemned the terrorist attack “in the strongest possible terms”, his spokesman said.