Russian authorities announced on Saturday that they had apprehended four suspects believed to be responsible for the deadly fire at a concert near Moscow that claimed the lives of at least 133 people. This tragic incident marked one of the deadliest terrorist attacks during President Vladimir V. Putin’s nearly 25 years in power.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack in multiple messages released since Friday. However, President Putin, in his first public comments about the tragedy, did not specifically mention the extremist group or identify the perpetrators. Instead, he blamed “international terrorism” and insinuated that Ukraine and its Western allies were involved in the attack.
While the identities of the alleged gunmen have not been disclosed, Russian state media has focused on shifting the blame to Ukraine, casting doubt on the ISIS claim. The suspects, described as foreign citizens by Russia’s Interior Ministry, were shown in what was said to be interrogation footage, with one admitting to carrying out the attack for financial gain after being recruited via the messaging app Telegram.
President Putin declared a national day of mourning for Sunday and vowed to punish those responsible for organizing the attack. He emphasized the need to prevent further atrocities and promised justice for all involved.
The concert venue, now reduced to rubble, bore witness to the horrific events that unfolded as survivors recounted their harrowing escapes. The victims, many in their 40s and from various parts of Russia, had traveled to attend the concert by the band Piknik.
As the search for survivors ended and the death toll remained at 133, Russian officials continued to update the public on the more than 100 wounded individuals, including three children among the deceased. The tragic event underscores the ongoing threat of terrorism faced by Russia, with past attacks such as the 2002 Moscow theater siege and the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis still fresh in memory.
The attack has raised questions about the Kremlin’s security measures and response to extremist threats, particularly in light of recent warnings from the United States about potential attacks in Moscow. Despite tensions between Russia and the West, international cooperation against terrorism remains a priority, as Mr. Putin acknowledged the need for unity in combating the common enemy of terrorism.
The aftermath of the concert tragedy has sparked political debates and conspiracy theories, with some Russian media figures attempting to link the attack to Ukraine without evidence. As investigations continue and the nation mourns the lives lost, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victims and preventing future acts of terrorism.