Moscow witnessed a devastating attack at the “Crocus City Hall” entertainment complex in the suburbs, leading to a record high death toll of 152, with expectations of the number rising.
The attackers, whose identities remain unknown, unleashed gunfire on celebrants in one of the theaters and detonated explosives, causing a significant fire.
Despite previous hints pointing towards Ukraine, Russia has not officially blamed any specific party for the bloody assault.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations continues to clear debris at the site, with the injured count reaching 285, including eight children.
Authorities expect the death toll to climb as the debris removal progresses at the entertainment complex, especially since the past two days have seen an increase in fatalities due to hospital deaths and the discovery of more victims under the rubble.
Additionally, 11 individuals have been arrested in connection to the attack, including all four direct assailants.
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine might have facilitated the attackers’ border crossing and vowed to identify and punish those responsible. He declared March 24 as a national day of mourning.
This incident adds to a history of terrorist attacks in Russia, with previous actions claimed by ISIS, including an assault on its embassy in Kabul in September 2022 and the assassination of its ambassador in Ankara in December 2016.
Analysts note ISIS’s strong motive for targeting Russia, especially after its intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015. ISIS’s Khorasan branch has particularly focused on Russia in its recent propaganda.
