The death toll from Friday's terrorist attack at a concert in Moscow has reached at least 115, with authorities announcing the apprehension of 11 suspects, including four directly involved in the assault.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack through a statement on its associated social media platforms.
The United States has indicated possessing intelligence confirming this claim, according to various reports. Russia's Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal investigation into the incident.
The surprise assault unfolded when gunmen in combat gear stormed into Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, where concert attendees had gathered to listen to the Russian band Picnic.
Video footage online showed the assailants opening fire, shooting at attendees from close range, and deploying smoke bombs. The attackers also hurled explosives inside the concert hall, causing the building to shake and catch fire, as reported by Russian media.
While people were being evacuated, some were reportedly trapped inside the burning structure. Firefighters spent hours battling the flames, but the roof of the theater eventually collapsed early Saturday morning.
Russians have been paying their respects by laying flowers at memorials and lining up to donate blood.
According to a statement from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), intelligence agencies have detained 11 individuals, including four terrorists directly involved in the Crocus City Hall attack.
The FSB noted, "It has already been established that the terrorist attack was carefully planned. The weapons that the terrorists used had been placed in a cache in advance."
Initially, the FSB had pointed fingers at Ukraine, with Russia's Investigative Committee stating that four suspects were intercepted in the Bryansk region of western Russia, "not far from the border with Ukraine."
These suspects allegedly planned to cross into Ukraine and reportedly had contacts there, as per Russia’s FSB cited by state news agency Tass.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuted any Ukrainian involvement before ISIS claimed responsibility, stating, "Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia). It makes no sense whatsoever."
This attack occurred shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin secured his hold on power in another overwhelming electoral victory.
The incident stands as the deadliest in Russia in recent years and coincides with the country’s continued involvement in Ukraine, which has entered its third year of conflict.