Russian diplomacy deplores a “terrorist attack” after a shooting and a fire in a concert hall near Moscow on Friday March 22. An initial report shows 40 dead and more than 100 injured.
[Mis à jour le 22 mars 2024 à 21h12] Several armed men burst into the Crocus City Hall concert hall, located near Moscow, in camouflage outfits, during a rock band’s performance on Friday March 22. A shooting, followed by a fire, took place, report Russian news agencies, taken up by Le Figaro. Russian diplomacy denounced a “bloody terrorist attack” and the mayor of Moscow confirmed the death of several people. According to an initial report from Russian intelligence services, the attack left at least 40 dead and more than 100 injured. “Unknown persons opened fire at Crocus City Hall. The evacuation of people is underway,” emergency services told the state agency TASS. People were evacuated from the basement and others found shelter on the roof. At least 70 ambulances are on site. On social networks, videos show the crowd in panic.
In the evening, Mykhaïlo Podoliak, advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, indicated that Ukraine had “absolutely nothing to do with these events”, reports The world, while Ukraine has been fighting the Russian invasion for more than two years. “Ukraine has never used terrorist methods of warfare,” he added. In response, Dmitri Medvedev, former Russian president and current number two on the Security Council of the Russian Federation Russia, published a Telegram message in which he threatened: “Russia will kill Ukrainian leaders if they are linked to the attack on Moscow.” The Russian Freedom Legion, a group of Russian anti-Kremlin fighters based in Ukraine, has also denied any involvement. “We emphasize that the Legion does not fight Russian civilians,” said the group, which blames “Putin’s terrorist regime.”
According to franceinfo, Russian diplomacy launched an appeal to the United States. Two weeks before this attack, the US embassy in Russia warned its citizens that “extremists” had “imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts.” “If the United States has or had reliable data [sur un risque d’attaques]they must immediately transmit them to the Russian side,” demanded Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry.
According to a journalist on site, people in camouflage entered the room and fired at the crowd before throwing a “grenade” or “fire bomb”, which caused a fire. Public events planned in Moscow this weekend have all been canceled by the mayor. The White House sent its thoughts to the victims of the attack. The world reports that all Crocus City Hall concert tickets had been sold out as of Friday evening and that the venue has a capacity of 6,200. On Telegram, the Russian Investigative Committee indicated that it had opened an investigation for a “terrorist act”.