The gunmen, numbering between three and five and clad in camouflage attire, launched a deadly assault at the Crocus City Hall Music venue in Moscow, Russia, on Friday. According to BBC News, the toll stands at a devastating minimum of 70 dead, with over 100 individuals wounded in the attack.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for this heinous act of violence. A statement purportedly from the group asserted: “A security source told Amaq Agency: Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”
The assailants, who remain at large, unleashed gunfire upon civilians using automatic weapons. Reports from Russian news agencies indicate that 50 ambulance crews rushed to the scene to tend to the wounded.
A Moscow official, cited by Ria news agency, disclosed that children participating in a ballroom competition within the same building sustained injuries. “Children and teenagers were at the competition. People came and said there was a shooting. A crush ensued. The children were running out in their ballroom gowns,” they recounted.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) issued a comprehensive statement affirming ongoing efforts to assist those impacted by the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. The statement read: “All possible measures are being taken to provide assistance to those affected as a result of the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall. The special services are carrying out active search measures following the emergency in the Crocus complex. According to preliminary information, 40 dead and over 100 wounded.”
Footage captured the building engulfed in flames, with reports indicating that the gunmen detonated explosives. Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasized Ukraine’s lack of involvement in the tragedy, stating, “Let’s be clear, Ukraine absolutely has nothing to do with these events.”
An eyewitness account on the Mash Telegram channel described at least five attackers, noting their bearded appearances and trained demeanor. “They act like trained and trained fighters,” the account detailed. “At the moment of entering the building, the guards and people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the main entrance.”
Videos circulated online captured the chaos and terror of the assault, showing gunmen firing upon civilians in the lobby and auditorium of Crocus City Hall. Emergency services confirmed the attackers’ use of automatic weapons, igniting panic and resulting in a fire within the building.
Russian news agency 112 reported a death toll as high as 40, with over 100 individuals injured. Emergency workers evacuated approximately 100 people who had sought refuge in the building’s basement.
Expressing condolences, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin lamented the tragedy: “A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today. I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.”
This horrifying incident follows a recent security alert issued by the US embassy in Moscow, cautioning against potential extremist threats targeting large gatherings, including concerts. Just over two weeks ago, US citizens were advised to avoid such events for their safety.
Commenting on the attack, Jack Posobiec, host of Human Events Daily, drew parallels to the 2015 Paris Bataclan attack, describing it as “clearly a Bataclan-style attack, like 2015 in Paris.” He noted the swift response of Russian forces and characterized the event as one of the most significant terror attacks in Russia since the Beslan school massacre in 2004.