More than 130 people were killed in the attack near Moscow. IS claimed responsibility for the attack – the Kremlin, however, drew connections to Ukraine. President Zelensky objected sharply.
After one of the worst terrorist attacks in Russian history with more than 130 deaths, it is still not clear who is responsible. The Russian Interior Ministry said Friday evening’s attack was carried out by foreign citizens. In total, the Kremlin said there were eleven arrests, four of which were directly involved. Russia did not provide precise information about his nationality.
In a TV speech 19 hours after the attack, President Vladimir Putin spoke of a “barbaric terrorist act” – and of traces to Ukraine. He did not address the claim of the “Islamic State” (IS). “They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine,” Putin said. According to preliminary findings, an opportunity was prepared on the Ukrainian side for them to cross the border into Ukraine. He did not provide any evidence for this. Putin did not respond to IS’s confession, nor did the Russian authorities.
Expert: No evidence for the Kremlin’s version
There is no doubt about IS’s commitment, said terror expert Peter Neumann from King’s College in London ARD focal point. Putin implied that Ukraine played an active role. “And there is no evidence of this – quite the opposite,” says Neumann. So far there have been three messages claiming responsibility from IS, all of which are authentic and have been distributed via official IS channels. “In my opinion there is no doubt at all that this was primarily the responsibility of IS and especially of its offshoot ISPK.”
The “Islamic State of Khorasan Province” (ISPK) has been waging an armed conflict with the militant Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan for several years. The IS offshoot is recruiting very actively in ex-Soviet states in Central Asia such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, among others, and is also associated with plans for Christmas attacks in Cologne and Vienna.
Also ARD correspondent Ina Ruck from Moscow said Putin “immediately pointed the finger at Ukraine without citing any evidence.”
Zelensky: Putin is just trying to blame others
Kiev firmly denied the allegations: In his daily video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Putin and his followers were “just trying to blame someone else.” Presidential advisor Mychailo Podoljak, among others, had previously rejected the allegations as “absurd” in the online service X. The US also said there was no evidence that Ukraine was involved in the attack.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned against using the attack as a pretext for escalation. “We hope that this terrible tragedy does not serve – for anyone – as a pretext for an escalation of violence and aggression,” he said on X.
IS claims attack again
However, IS confirmed its responsibility for the attack on the Telegram online service at midday. “The attack was carried out by four IS fighters,” the militia said. They were armed with machine guns, a pistol, knives and firebombs. The attack is part of the “natural context of the raging war” with the “countries that fight Islam.” The IS propaganda channel Amak also publishes pixelated photos that are supposed to show the alleged attackers. One picture showed four people with their faces unrecognizable.
States express horror and condolences
There were expressions of solidarity from numerous countries. “We condemn the terrible terrorist attack on innocent concert-goers in Moscow,” wrote Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the short message service X. “Our thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and all those injured,” said the SPD politician. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed his condolences to the families. “We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the Russian people in their mourning for the lives lost.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the attack as a “heinous terrorist attack.” “Terrorism is unacceptable, no matter where it comes from and who the attackers are,” he said, declaring terror the “common enemy of humanity.” Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the country rejects all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns terrorist attacks.
Shots, explosion and fire
On Friday evening, several armed assassins broke into the “Crocus City Hall” in the northwest Moscow suburb of Krasnogorsk during a concert and opened fire. According to the Russian authorities, at least 133 people were killed, and in the evening the Emergencies Ministry announced the names of 29 initially identified victims.
According to the Interfax news agency, two to five assassins are said to have been involved in the attack and opened fire on the guests. There was also an explosion and a fire broke out in the concert hall, which spread to the upper floors and the roof.