On March 22, masked gunmen opened fire on a concert in Moscow, killing more than 60 people and wounding 145. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for one of the biggest attacks in Russia in recent years.
Before Soviet-era rock band Picnic performed at a 6,200-seat concert hall in Moscow's western suburbs, several gunmen opened fire on terrified spectators at Krokus City Hall.
Video evidence shows case officers leaving the building after taking their seats as screams and gunshots echoed. Another video shows a man shooting into a crowd. Some victims lay motionless in a pool of blood.
More than 60 people were killed by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), which was tasked with replacing the Soviet-era KGB, according to the Associated Press. Local authorities reported 145 people were injured. According to the Financial Stability Board, additional security measures have been taken. Reuters reported that unconfirmed sources said the death toll could rise, making it one of the deadliest attacks in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004, when Islamist extremists kidnapped more than 1,000 people, including hundreds of children. The Crocus report stated that children were among the dead and injured. According to Reuters, many ambulances were sent to Sklifosovsky emergency hospital in Moscow.
The incident, which caused the roof to collapse and the court to catch fire, was the bloodiest incident of recent years in Russia and took place as Russia entered the third year of its conflict agreement with Ukraine. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the attack "a great tragedy."
According to the news on Telegram of the group's Amaq organization, the Islamic State, which had previously planned to take control of many parts of Syria and Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Some Russian media published grainy photos of two suspected attackers in a white car. According to reports in some Russian media, the gunman is still at large.
The attack on Krokus City Hall, about 20 kilometers from the Kremlin, came just two weeks after the US Embassy in Russia warned that "terrorists" were planning an attack on Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Maria Zakharova called the incident a "disgusting act of terrorism" that should be condemned by everyone in the world. Many former Soviet countries, as well as the United States, European and Arab countries, expressed their surprise, condemnation and sympathy.
Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak renounced all connections with Ukraine.
The United Nations Security Council condemned the "heinous and heinous crimes" in its statement.
Russia has increased security in its capital city, whose population exceeds 21 million, as well as in airports and transportation facilities. All major events across the country have been cancelled.
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