Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the Friday concert attack as a barbaric act of terrorism and promised to punish those responsible.
He also accused Ukraine of trying to create an opportunity for the suspects to escape, although Kyiv has denied any involvement in the attack.
Putin made these statements during a public address in Moscow, Russia’s capital.
On Friday, gunmen in camouflage clothing opened fire on people at a concert in Crocus City Hall near Moscow.
Reports from various Russian media outlets indicated that automatic weapons were used in what many are calling one of the worst attacks in Russia in years.
Videos showed at least five gunmen firing at civilians in the concert hall as the band “Picnic” was about to perform.
In response, Putin claimed in a televised address that someone in Ukraine had attempted to help the attackers flee across the border before they were caught by Russian security forces.
He did not clearly blame Ukraine for the attack, nor did he mention the American officials’ assessment that a branch of the Islamic State was responsible.
However, he pledged to punish the perpetrators, “whoever they may be, whoever may have sent them.”
He said, “They were trying to hide and were moving toward Ukraine,” Mr. Putin said, referring to the four men who carried out the attack and who the Kremlin said had been captured in western Russia. “Based on preliminary information, a window for crossing the border was prepared for them by the Ukrainian side.”
Ukrainian officials have denied any involvement in the attack, and American officials have stated that there is no evidence to suggest Ukrainian involvement.
On Friday, American officials expressed concern that Putin might try to wrongly accuse Ukraine of the attack. Some analysts and critics of the Kremlin believe that Putin could use this accusation as a reason to escalate Russia’s invasion.
“We are counting here on cooperation with all countries that genuinely share our pain and are ready, in their deeds, to truly unite our efforts in the fight against the common enemy of international terrorism,” he added.
Putin declared Monday a national day of mourning and announced that security measures were being increased throughout Russia.
“The main thing now is to prevent those who were behind this bloody massacre from committing new crimes,” Putin added.
Meanwhile, Russia has arrested 11 people, including all four gunmen suspected of carrying out the attack, as stated by the head of the country’s Federal Security Service.
133 people have been confirmed dead so far, with more bodies discovered in the rubble, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee on Saturday morning.
Emergency responders found additional bodies as they cleared the rubble from the fiery attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall. The search operation at the venue is still ongoing.
Currently, at least 107 people, including three children, are receiving treatment in Moscow hospitals for their injuries, as reported by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, Tatyana Golikova.
This latest toll officially makes the attack one of the worst terrorist acts in Russia’s modern history, surpassing the casualty number of the hostage crisis at Moscow’s theater in Dubrovka in 2002, where 130 people lost their lives.
The death toll is expected to increase as many individuals are reportedly trapped under the collapsed building.
In addition, US Embassy officials issued a warning earlier this month, advising people to avoid large gatherings. They have reiterated this warning after confirming that no US citizens were injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement on Saturday denouncing the deadly terrorist attack in Moscow.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also expressed condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday following a deadly shooting at a concert hall near Moscow. Jinping stated that China opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns terrorist attacks.
Furthermore, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, in a personally signed statement, conveyed Nigeria’s deepest sympathy and condolences to the Russian president.
The statement read, “The government and people of Nigeria commiserate with the victims of this tragic attack and pray for the repose of their souls. We also pray for the quick recovery of those injured.
“At this challenging time, we stand in brotherhood with the government and the Russian Federation and send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Russian president, His Excellency Vladimir Putin.”
