– Armed attackers stormed a concert hall near Moscow, resulting in at least 130 deaths and over 100 injuries
– ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack
– The attack was carried out by unidentified individuals who opened fire at the Crocus City Hall music venue, leading to one of the deadliest attacks near Russia’s capital in recent years
An armed attack occurred at a concert hall near Moscow, resulting in at least 130 deaths and over 100 injuries. ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack. The Russian Investigative Committee reported that four individuals were arrested in connection to the incident, with a total of 11 suspects detained by Kremlin authorities. The Crocus City Hall, a music venue on the western edge of Moscow, was the site of the attack, where a Russian rock band was scheduled to perform.
The number of casualties from the attack makes it one of the deadliest incidents near Russia’s capital in recent years. An explosion and subsequent fire at the music venue caused significant damage, with a third of the hall engulfed in flames. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko confirmed that children were among the injured individuals at the scene. Despite US officials confirming ISIS-K’s involvement, Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the attack to Ukrainian authorities allegedly aiding the assailants in escaping to Ukraine.
ISIS-K, a militant group formed in 2015 and comprised mostly of Pakistani militants, has been primarily active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The group has had a history of conflict with the Taliban due to sectarian differences and has carried out attacks against civilians in the region. Experts suggest that ISIS-K targeting Russia may be rooted in historical conflicts between Russia and Muslim populations, such as the wars in Chechnya and Soviet deportations.
The timing of the attack near Moscow is not yet clear, but experts believe it may have operational reasons rather than symbolic or political motives. Prior warnings from the US embassy in Russia about potential extremist activities targeting large gatherings near the capital were dismissed by Putin as provocative days before the attack occurred. The Kremlin and US embassy have not commented on the incident.