The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on a concert hall in Moscow. The jihadist militia published a statement on the Telegram text message service. According to the FSB, at least 40 people died in the attack.
The Islamic State jihadist militia claims to have carried out the attack on an event center in Moscow. The group claimed responsibility for the crime on the Telegram short message service. There is no official confirmation of this claim from Russian authorities yet.
Terror expert holds Letter of confession for real
Terror expert Peter Neumann from King’s College in London believes the Islamic State terrorist militia’s letter of responsibility for the attack near Moscow is genuine. He wrote this in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “The message claiming responsibility went through all official IS channels. I and my colleagues can confirm this 100 percent.”
The German-born scientist warned of false news circulating on Russian Telegram channels claiming that the IS message was fake. There is “already a lot of fake news — probably to spin the narrative that Ukraine was responsible for the attack,” wrote Neumann.
In the predominantly Muslim republics in the North Caucasus, underground militias have repeatedly fought against Russian state power in recent decades. Thousands of men have since fought for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
At least 40 dead in concert hall
In the attack in a concert hall near the Russian capital Moscow, at least three people in camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons. According to the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, at least 40 people were killed.
The Moscow Region Ministry of Health also spoke of 145 people being taken to hospitals that night. 60 of them are in serious condition. There had previously been talk of more than 100 injuries. Because rescue and police operations are still ongoing on site and the building is on fire, the numbers could still rise significantly. It was said that at least eight children were among the injured.
The incident occurred at the Crocus City Hall during a concert by the Russian band “Piknik” from Saint Petersburg. The hall offers seats for thousands of spectators.
Identity of attackers unclear
There is currently no information about the identity of the attackers. According to the RIA news agency, they probably escaped for the time being. At around the same time, a Russian MP announced that the National Guard would be withdrawn from the hall again. They searched the ground floor, first floor and the underground parking garage.
The highest Russian investigative agency is examining a terrorist background. A corresponding investigation has been initiated. Security authorities said there was at least one explosion. A fire then broke out. According to the RIA news agency, the upper floors of the building have already been destroyed by the fire. The TASS agency reported that the fire spread to about a third of the building and to almost the entire roof. The fire department is now said to have the fire under control.
Police, National Guard, OMON special troops from the Interior Ministry and rescue workers were on site. An evacuation operation began to bring the visitors to safety. According to TASS, there are still people in the building.
“Bloody terroristic Attack”
The Russian Foreign Ministry called the attack a “bloody terrorist attack.” “The entire global community must condemn this despicable crime,” wrote ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Telegram online service.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin spoke of a great tragedy. He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families. Sobyanin added that all sporting, cultural and other events in Moscow had been canceled for the weekend.
Reactions from abroad
The Foreign Office in Berlin condoled the victims’ families and spoke of a “terrible attack on innocent people.” The background needs to be clarified quickly, according to a message on the short message service X.
The European Union also reacted with dismay to the attack near Moscow. The EU is shocked and horrified at the reports of a terrorist attack, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on the X platform. “The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all affected Russian citizens.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his “deep condolences” to the affected families and people in Russia as well as the government, according to a statement. Guterres wished the injured a speedy recovery. The UN Security Council also condemned the “heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.”
The USA sees no evidence of Ukraine’s involvement
In Washington, National Security Council representative John Kirby spoke of “terrible images” from Moscow that were difficult to bear. It is still too early to talk about all the details of what happened. But there is no evidence that Ukraine is involved, said Kirby. The USA’s thoughts are with the victims of the terrible armed attack.
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Ukraine had nothing to do with the shootings in Moscow. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andrii Yusov told the newspaper Ukrainska Pravda that the act was a deliberate provocation by Russian special forces. Russian President Putin is committing crimes against his own people.
Western embassies had recently warned of terrorist attacks in Moscow. The Kremlin described this as a provocation by the West.
Frank Aischmann, ARD Moscow, tagesschau, March 22, 2024 7:40 p.m