Putin said that the attackers tried to flee to Ukraine after carrying out the attack (French)

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to hold accountable all those responsible for the attack that left dozens dead in a concert hall in a suburb of Moscow on Friday evening. He also declared a national day of mourning tomorrow, Sunday, describing the attack as a "barbaric act of terrorism."

Putin said in a televised speech that the four gunmen who carried out the attack on the Crocus lounge in the Krasnogorsk suburb, northwest of the capital, were arrested before they could cross the border into Ukraine.

He continued, "They were heading towards Ukraine, where they had a window to cross the border, according to preliminary information."

Putin added, "We will identify everyone who stood behind the terrorists and everyone who prepared the attack," and continued, "They will face an unenviable fate."

Earlier, the Kremlin said that the Federal Security Service was working to identify the party complicit with those who committed the attack.

For its part, the Russian Investigative Committee said on Saturday, citing preliminary data, that at least 143 were killed in the attack, and warned that the death toll is likely to rise. About 150 people were also injured.

Arrests

The Investigation Committee indicated that the suspects were arrested in the Russian province of Bryansk, near the Ukrainian border. 11 people were arrested, including 4 suspected perpetrators.

The Federal Security Service said that those suspected of carrying out the attack planned to cross the border and were in contact with people on the Ukrainian side.

According to Russian reports, the attackers stormed the Crocus Hall during a rock concert at approximately 8:15 pm (yesterday, Friday) local time. They were armed with automatic weapons, opened fire on security personnel at the entrance to the hall, and then began shooting at the audience.

The Russian Investigative Committee said they set fire to the building with a "flammable liquid."

Ukraine denies responsibility

Meanwhile, Ukraine denied responsibility for the attack. A unit of pro-Kiev fighters who recently carried out armed incursions into Russian territory also denied any responsibility.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podoliak said in a post on the X platform, “The accounts presented by the Russian special services regarding Ukraine are unacceptable and ridiculous.”

Ukrainian military intelligence accused the Kremlin and its special services of orchestrating the attack to blame Ukraine and justify the "escalation" of the war.

For his part, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev confirmed that Moscow would eliminate Ukrainian leaders if their involvement in this attack was proven.

An image of ISIS

On the other hand, ISIS published, through one of its channels on Telegram, a picture of what it said were its members who carried out the Moscow attack, after the organization claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued on Friday night.

The organization said on Saturday that the attack comes in the context of the raging war between the organization and countries that are fighting Islam.

Yesterday, Friday, he reported that his fighters attacked a large gathering on the outskirts of Moscow, then returned to their bases safely.

On the other hand, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby denied any "indications of Ukrainian involvement" in the attack.

Kirby said in statements he made yesterday, Friday, that it was too early to make any assessment, but "there is currently no indication of the involvement of Ukraine or the Ukrainians in this attack, as the news is still very new."

The US Embassy in Russia warned its citizens two weeks ago that "extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts."

The White House said that the United States shared this information with Russian authorities.

For her part, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday, “If the United States has or obtains reliable data on this subject, it must immediately transfer it to the Russian side.”

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies