Russian authorities have arrested 11 individuals, including four suspected gunmen, following a devastating shooting rampage at a concert hall near Moscow.
The death toll from the attack has climbed to at least 143, making it the deadliest assault in Russia in two decades.
The militant Islamist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, although Russian officials are also investigating potential ties to Ukraine. Despite Ukrainian denials of involvement, the FSB security service stated that the arrested gunmen were apprehended while attempting to flee towards the Ukrainian border and had connections in Ukraine.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested on Telegram that the attackers planned to seek refuge in Ukraine, intensifying concerns about cross-border implications.
Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov emphasized the need for a decisive response if Ukrainian involvement is confirmed, indicating potential escalation.
State TV editor Margarita Simonyan published a video of one of the suspects being interrogated, while the Investigative Committee reported that the attack resulted in at least 115 deaths, with victims succumbing to gunshot wounds and a subsequent fire ignited by the assailants.
Details emerged of the attackers fleeing the scene in a Renault vehicle, with two individuals arrested following a police pursuit and two others evading capture temporarily. Items found in the vehicle, including a pistol and passports from Tajikistan, raise questions about the attackers’ origins and motivations.
The suspects claimed to have received instructions via Telegram in exchange for monetary compensation.
Amidst the tragedy, witnesses recounted scenes of chaos and terror as concertgoers attempted to flee the gunfire, with verified videos capturing the panic-stricken moments inside the concert hall.
International reactions poured in, with condemnation from world leaders and expressions of solidarity with Russia. The United States confirmed intelligence linking Islamic State to the attack, highlighting ongoing concerns about the group’s global reach and Russia’s vulnerability to extremist violence.
