Many dead near Moscow – this is how the world reacts to the attacks
A massive fire can be seen over the Krokus-City event hall on the western edge of Moscow
Source: dpa/Sergei Vedyashkin
After an attack in Moscow with numerous injuries and deaths, foreign countries are also reacting. The US and Kiev emphasize that Ukraine was not involved in the attacks. The Foreign Office expresses its condolences to the families of the victims.
bAccording to the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, gunmen killed 40 people in an attack on an event hall in the Moscow region. According to initial findings, more than 100 people were injured in the Crocus City Hall in the city of Krasnagorsk, the authority was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency Interfax on Friday evening. Russia’s Central Investigative Committee opened a case into a suspected “act of terrorism.” There were numerous reactions from abroad after the attack.
The European Union reacted with dismay to the attack. The EU is shocked and horrified by the reports of a terrorist attack, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday evening on the X platform (formerly Twitter). “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 bereaved families, the people and the Russian government. Guterres “strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack on a concert hall outside Moscow (…),” said his spokesman Farhan Haq on Friday.
The UN Security Council also expressed its condolences and called on all states to “actively cooperate” with the government in Moscow and all other relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators and supporters “of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to account and bring them to justice.” The members of the Security Council would strongly condemn the “heinous and cowardly terrorist attack”.
The Foreign Office has meanwhile expressed its condolences to the families of the victims. “The images of the terrible attack on innocent people in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow are terrible,” the Foreign Ministry said on X on Friday evening. “The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families of the victims.” Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Greens) also spoke on X of a “cowardly attack on people who just wanted to listen to music”.
Kyiv denies responsibility
Kiev officials have rejected suspicions of Ukrainian involvement. “Ukraine has absolutely no connection to the events,” emphasized Mykhailo Podoljak, adviser to Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak, in a video message on Telegram on Friday. His country is at war with Russia and the Russian army and will crush them with “decisive offensive actions”. At the same time, he emphasized: “Unlike the Russian Federation, Ukraine has never used terrorist methods of warfare, terrorism as such.”
The USA has also stated that, in its view, there are “currently no signs” of Ukraine being involved in the events. “There is currently no indication that Ukraine or Ukrainians are involved in the gun attack,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday. “I would advise you against establishing any connection with Ukraine at such an early stage,” he added.
The Russian Foreign Ministry then criticized the US for quickly exonerating Ukraine as the possible mastermind of the attack. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Friday evening that it raises questions if the U.S. is drawing such conclusions while the tragedy is still underway. “If the United States or any other country has reliable facts, they should provide them to the Russian side.”
Source: Infographic WELT