Moscow Concert Hall Attack: Russia Reports 40 Dead and Over 100 Injured

On Friday, several gunmen attacked a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, killing at least 40 people and injuring 100 others in a rampage marked by automatic gunfire. The assailants also set the venue ablaze in what was described by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin as a “huge tragedy”, days after President Vladimir Putin’s landslide electoral victory. The Russian Federal Security Service is probing the attack as a terrorist act and it represents the deadliest attack in Russia in recent years, occurring amidst Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The event occurred at Crocus City Hall, a large music hall situated on Moscow’s western fringes. The attackers launched explosives, causing an enormous fire in the hall that accommodates 6,000 people. Videos demonstrated the building aflame with a sizable column of smoke piercing the night sky. The vicinity was illuminated by the flashing blue lights of numerous fire engines, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles.

The assault occurred as audiences gathered to watch a performance by the renowned Russian rock band Picnic. There were reports of concert-goers being evacuated, although it remains unclear how many may have been incarcerated by the fire. The prosecutor’s office stated several men in combat gear invaded the concert hall and opened fire on concert-goers. Other videos revealed up to four attackers, equipped with assault rifles and wearing hats, shooting people at close range.

Domestic news sources suggested that the attackers fled prior to the arrival of the special forces and riot police. Following the incident, security was ramped up at Moscow’s airports, train stations, and the subway system. The mayor of Moscow also called off all mass events and closed down theaters and museums for the weekend. Although the Kremlin has yet to attribute the attack to any group, some Russian legislators were quick to blame Ukraine. This happened hours post a Russian military attack on Ukraine’s power system, which left over a million people without electricity.

The attack comes after an alert from the U.S Embassy in Moscow earlier this month cautioning Americans to avoid crowded areas in the capital, due to “imminent” extremist plans to target large gatherings. However, John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, did not confirm that this warning was related to the recent attack. Additionally, the Ukrainian government has denied any involvement. Moreover, Putin, who recently extended his reign on Russia for six more years, denounced these Western alerts as mere intimidation tactics.