Shocking ISIS Attack at Moscow Concert Venue Leaves 60 Dead – What Really Happened Inside?

ISIS has asserted responsibility for an assault at a prominent concert venue complex near Moscow on Friday, where attackers armed with guns and incendiary devices stormed the venue, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people and injuring 145 others.

The terrorist group claimed the attack through a brief statement published by ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram on Friday, although no evidence was provided to support the claim. 

Video footage from the Crocus City Hall shows the extensive complex, housing both the music hall and a shopping center, engulfed in flames with smoke rising into the air. 

State-run RIA Novosti reported that the armed assailants "opened fire with automatic weapons" and "threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire." The attackers then reportedly fled in a white Renault car, according to the news agency.

State media outlet Russia 24 reported that the roof of the venue partially collapsed.

The fire was largely under control more than six hours later. Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov stated on Telegram, "There are still some pockets of fire, but the fire has been mostly eliminated."

This attack, the deadliest in Moscow in decades, occurred less than a week after President Vladimir Putin's re-election, following a highly controlled election where he secured another term in office. 

Putin had emphasized national security in his campaign, particularly focusing on the conflict with neighboring Ukraine.

The violence erupted just before a concert by the band Picnic, as reported by Russia 24. The band's manager confirmed that the performers were unharmed.

"Unidentified people in camouflage broke into Crocus City Hall and started shooting before the start of the concert," the Prosecutor General's Office said, as cited by TASS. 

Video footage captured the panic as the attack unfolded, with crowds huddling together, screaming, and seeking cover behind cushioned seats as gunshots rang out in the vast hall. 

One group near a large wall of windows outside the venue had to break them to escape the gunfire, as shown in a video obtained by CNN.

CNN-geolocated footage revealed an armed individual starting at least one fire inside the venue. 

The individual was seen carrying something in their hand, and as they walked off-screen, a bright flash of light from a large flame was visible in the video.

A SWAT team responded to the scene, and more than 70 ambulance teams and doctors assisted victims.

TASS reported that 145 people were hospitalized, with 60 in serious condition.

Putin was informed about the attack and is being kept updated on the ground measures, according to the Kremlin.

The day after the attack, Putin wished the injured a speedy recovery, as reported by the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency. 

He also expressed gratitude to the doctors.

Firefighters evacuated around 100 people from the building, according to TASS. 

Rescue efforts were ongoing to extract people from the roof, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as a "terrible tragedy" and offered condolences to the victims' loved ones. 

He instructed that all sports, cultural, and other public events in Moscow for that weekend be canceled.

Shaman, the lead singer of Picnic, announced that he would cover the funeral expenses of the victims and the treatment costs of the injured.

"We are all one big family. And in a family, there is no such thing as somebody else's grief," the singer, known for his nationalistic views, said in a video posted on the Russian social media network Vkontakte to his more than 600,000 followers.

"My people, any troubles and misfortunes have always united our country. 

They have made Russia tougher and stronger. It will not be possible to frighten and break us this time either."

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia had warned of potential attacks, including at concerts, and advised US citizens to avoid large gatherings. 

Following the attack at Crocus City Hall, the embassy advised against traveling to Russia.

Since November, there have been reports suggesting ISIS-K's intentions to carry out attacks in Russia. According to two sources familiar with the information, the US had been monitoring these reports.

A US official stated that Washington had no reason to doubt ISIS' claim of responsibility for the attack.

The international community responded with condemnation and sympathy. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, expressing deep condolences to the bereaved families and the Russian people.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi denounced the attack and expressed solidarity with the Russian people.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the attack and extended condolences and sympathy to the victims.

Ukraine, which has been in conflict with Russia, denied any involvement in the attack. 

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on X that Ukraine has never resorted to terrorist methods and believed Russia would use the attack to justify its actions in Ukraine.

In March alone, Russian authorities thwarted several ISIS-related incidents, according to RIA. 

On March 3, six ISIS members were killed in an operation in Ingush Karabulak; on March 7, security services neutralized a cell of the banned organization Vilayat Khorasan in the Kaluga region, which was planning an attack on a synagogue in Moscow; and on March 20, the commander of an ISIS combat group was detained.