China News Service reported on March 23 that on the evening of the 22nd local time, a shooting occurred in a concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow, the Russian capital. According to the latest news from the Russian Satellite News Agency, the attack has resulted in 60 deaths and 145 injuries.

　　Who was responsible for the attack? How will Russia respond in the future? What is the reaction of the international community? Five key pieces of information, all in one article.

Russian media reported that the audience had already taken their seats before the start of a concert at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk that night. Suddenly several unidentified people broke into the concert hall and opened fire. The concert hall subsequently exploded, caught fire and billowed out thick smoke, and the roof was almost engulfed in flames. The picture shows a screenshot of the live video released. Picture/Visual China

Key message one: How did the attack occur?

　　According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, the shooting occurred at the "Saffron Town Hall" concert hall in Krasnogorsk. Almost all the tickets for the concert that night had been sold. After most of the audience entered the hall, suddenly there were Several unknown armed men wearing camouflage uniforms broke into the concert hall, shot with automatic weapons and threw grenades. The concert hall subsequently exploded and caught fire.

　　Witnesses said the fire almost engulfed the entire concert hall. Firefighters were unable to start work immediately because there might be armed terrorists in the concert hall. Around 10 p.m., the roof began to collapse.

　　A reporter from RIA Novosti said that the security personnel at the scene had no weapons and were unable to fight against the terrorists. "People were lying on the ground. After about 15-20 minutes, everyone began to crawl out of the concert hall, and some of them managed to escape." RIA Novosti reporter described.

　　The Krasnogorsk city government immediately established an operations command and deployed all forces and equipment to the scene of the incident.

　　So far, the attacks have killed 60 people and injured 145 others. Rescue operations at the scene are still continuing.

Image source: Screenshot of RIA Novosti report 

Key information two: Who is the attacker? Where are you now?

　　According to a report by RIA Novosti on the 23rd local time, according to photos obtained by the media, the suspect in the terrorist attack at the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow, the Russian capital, fled in a white car.

　　According to CNN, the extremist organization "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for the attack, but the organization did not provide evidence to support this claim.

　　The "Russia Today" media account pointed out on social media: There is currently no official news confirming that the shooting incident in Moscow was caused by the "Islamic State", and the relevant information from the US media has not been verified.

File photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin

Key message three: What is Russia’s reaction?

　　According to a report by RIA Novosti on the 22nd local time, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that Russian President Putin had given all necessary instructions regarding the attack on the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow.

　　Peskov also said that within minutes of the incident, Putin was informed of the relevant circumstances of the terrorist attack and continued to have the latest information.

　　Late at night on the 22nd local time, the General Directorate of Investigation of the Russian Federal Investigative Committee announced through its social media account that it had launched an investigation into the terrorist attack that occurred that night in accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Terrorist Acts" in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

　　Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, said, "All these people must be tracked down as terrorists and ruthlessly eliminated. Including state officials who committed such atrocities."

According to a report by "Russia Today", as of 0:00 on March 23, local time, the fire area of ​​the building where the terrorist attack occurred on the night of the 22nd at the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow reached approximately 13,000 square meters.

Key message four: Did the United States give advance warning?

　　Previously, the U.S. Embassy in Russia issued a warning on March 7 that it had detected "extremists" plotting to launch an attack in Moscow in the next few days.

　　The U.S. Embassy issued a message at the time saying, "The (U.S.) Embassy is monitoring information about extremists planning to launch attacks on large gatherings (including concerts) in Moscow and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid participating in large gatherings in the next 48 hours." The U.S. Embassy in Russia The embassy wrote that U.S. citizens were reminded to "avoid crowds, pay attention to local media news, and pay attention to the surrounding environment."

　　According to the TASS news agency, after the attack on the 22nd, John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator of the White House National Security Council, was asked about the incident and said that the US government "did not have advance information about the attack on the concert hall." Kirby also said there was "no indication" that Ukraine was involved in the attack.

On March 22, local time, a shooting occurred at a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, a suburb of the Russian capital Moscow. The picture shows the scene of the incident.

Key message five: The international community strongly condemns!

　　After the shooting at a concert hall near Moscow, the international community condemned the terrorist attack.

　　The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack on a concert hall near Moscow. The statement called the terrorist attack at the concert hall "heinous." The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and the Russian people, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

　　United Nations Secretary-General Guterres also strongly condemned the incident through his spokesman and expressed his deep condolences to the Russian people and government.

　　According to the TASS news agency, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Iran, Pakistan and other countries also condemned the attack. (over)