MOSCOW, March 23, 2024 – The death toll from yesterday’s attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk has risen to 62, with over 145 injured. The attack, which targeted a sold-out concert by the Russian rock band Picnic, has been declared a terrorist act by Russian authorities.

Five masked gunmen, clad in camouflage and wielding automatic weapons, opened fire on the crowd shortly before the concert was due to begin. Witnesses reported screams and chaos as concertgoers fled for cover. The venue’s security guards were unarmed and are believed to be among the casualties.

Some Russian Lawmaker Said It Was Ukraine’s Doing.

While the Kremlin did not immediately blame anyone for the attack, but some Russian lawmakers were quick to accuse Ukraine. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denied Ukraine’s involvement.

“Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods,” he posted on X. “Everything in this war will be decided only on the battlefield.”

ISIL claims responsibility

Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), an Afghan affiliate of ISIL (ISIS), claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted by its Amaq news agency.

It said its fighters had attacked on the outskirts of Moscow, “killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely” and then escaped. It gave no further detail.

President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Investigative Committee has opened a full investigation, and Moscow’s special envoy for Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

The attack has sent shockwaves through Russia, prompting widespread condemnation and a heightened security presence. Moscow’s mayor has canceled all large gatherings, and theaters and museums have been ordered to close for the weekend.

This is the deadliest terror attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege. The attack is likely further to strain relations between Russia and the Islamic State group.

Putin was warned about a potential attack but decided to do nothing.

Just like Netanyahu was warned about the attacks of October 7th, Russian President Vladimir Putin was warned about a potential attack by extremists but dismissed it.

Earlier this month, the United States alerted Russia’s government about a potential terrorist threat in Moscow, according to a spokesperson for the National Security Council.

On March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Russia cautioned American citizens to steer clear of crowded areas and mentioned ongoing monitoring of reports indicating extremists might target large gatherings, including concerts, in Moscow.

NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson stated, “The U.S. Government possessed information regarding a planned terrorist attack in Moscow, potentially focusing on large gatherings such as concerts, prompting the issuance of a public advisory to Americans in Russia by the State Department.”

Watson further emphasized, “In adherence to its longstanding ‘duty to warn’ policy, the U.S. Government shared this intelligence with Russian authorities.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently criticized the West for what he termed “provocative statements” about potential terrorist incidents in Russia, dismissing them.