
Gunmen Storm Moscow Concert Hall, Killing 93, IS Claims Responsibility, Putin Reacts
Eleven detained after deadly Moscow concert hall attack. Islamic State claims responsibility, as Putin denounces Western warnings of terrorism.

A horrifying attack took place in a concert hall in Moscow, as gunmen stormed the venue and opened fire on the crowd. According to Russia's Federal Security Service, at least 93 people, including three children, lost their lives in the tragic incident. The concert hall, called Crocus City Hall, located in the Krasnogorsk area on Moscow's western edge, with a capacity of over 6,000 people, was left in ruins following the attack.
Suspects Detained
Following the attack, eleven individuals have been detained, with four of them directly involved in the assault, as reported by Russian state news agency Tass. The shocking incident comes just days after President Vladimir Putin secured a significant victory in the recent presidential election. The attack, the deadliest in Russia in years, occurred amidst the country's prolonged engagement in Ukraine, which has entered its third year.
Claim of Responsibility
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, as per a statement posted on affiliated social media channels. Although the Kremlin and Russian security services have not officially attributed blame for the assault, a U.S. intelligence official revealed that U.S. agencies had confirmed IS' involvement in the attack.
Global Reaction
The attack elicited messages of outrage, shock, and support from around the world. The U.N. Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the "heinous and cowardly terrorist attack," emphasizing the need for the perpetrators to be held accountable. Furthermore, in a display of solidarity, hundreds of people in Moscow queued up to donate blood and plasma to aid the victims, according to Russia's health ministry.
Previous Attacks
This tragic incident is not the first involving the Islamic State and Russia. In October 2015, the Islamic State downed a Russian passenger plane over Sinai, claiming the lives of 224 individuals on board. The group has also been responsible for several attacks in Russia's volatile Caucasus and other regions, recruiting fighters from Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union.
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