The Islamic State terrorists who attacked concert goers at the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow on Friday sped away in a white car after killing at least 115 people and injuring more than 100 others.
Russian authorities have initiated a probe to find them and find out who they are. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack and claimed that it attacked “a large gathering” on Moscow’s outskirts and “retreated to their bases safely”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin — who was informed of the attack “within the first minutes”, according to the Kremlin — wished a speedy recovery to the wounded victims, Russia’s deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has said that the attack on the concert hall outside Moscow on Friday night was an act of terrorism.
The Russian president also spoke to the heads of the law enforcement and emergency services following the deadly attack and received reports from the head of the security services (FSB), the Investigative Committee, the National Guard, and the ministers of interior, health and emergency situations, the Kremlin told Russian news outlets.
Ukraine said it has nothing to do with the attack. Security has been stepped up at key installations including airports and train stations and Russian news outlets said that the city is in a lockdown.
The US said it warned Russian authorities earlier in March about a terrorist attack possibly targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow despite frosty relationship between both nations due to the Ukraine conflict.
“Earlier this month, the US government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow –- potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts” and Washington “shared this information with Russian authorities,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.
Watson said the administration of US President Joe Biden was complying with a long-standing “duty to warn” policy, in which the United States alerts nations or groups when it receives intelligence of specific threats to kidnap or kill multiple victims.
US officials have told new agencies that they believe the claim of responsibility by the Islamic State to be credible.
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