On Saturday, Russia announced the arrest of four individuals suspected of executing a deadly shooting in a concert hall near Moscow.
In response to the violence, President Vladimir Putin vowed to seek out and penalize those responsible.
The Islamic State, a recognized militant Islamist group, claimed responsibility for the assault that occurred on Friday.
Despite this claim, Russia hinted at a potential Ukrainian involvement in the attack, a suggestion strongly refuted by Ukrainian authorities.
The Moscow regional Governor, Andrei Vorobyov, reported that 133 victims were found within 24 hours of the incident, with 107 more receiving critical care.
Margarita Simonyan, a state TV editor, previously cited a slightly higher casualty figure.
Putin, in a national broadcast, disclosed the detention of 11 individuals, including the attackers, suggesting they attempted to escape towards Ukraine.
However, both Putin and the FSB, Russia’s security service, have yet to provide evidence supporting the claim of Ukraine’s involvement, despite ongoing conflict between the two nations.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, dismissed the allegations, emphasizing Ukraine’s defensive posture against Russian aggression.
Similarly, Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, denied any Ukrainian role in the incident.
Analysts note the Islamic State’s history of targeting Russia, especially after Russia’s military intervention in Syria.
Putin characterized the threat as “international terrorism” and expressed readiness to collaborate globally against it, pledging justice against the perpetrators.
This sentiment was echoed by Andrei Kartapolov, a senior Russian lawmaker, who advocated for a decisive response if Ukrainian involvement was confirmed.
The international community, including Western nations and Arab states, condemned the attack, offering condolences to Russia.
The U.S. shared prior warnings of a potential attack in Moscow with Russia, a claim contrasted by Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, who stated no specific information was received.
The attackers, captured on video, initiated a fire that contributed to the casualties.
Additional suspects were apprehended near the Ukrainian border, with some linked to Tajikistan.
Following the attack, Moscow has heightened security, and public blood donation drives saw significant turnout.
The Islamic State’s claim was accompanied by a video purportedly showing the assault. U.S. officials corroborated the group’s responsibility for the attack, which took place close to the Kremlin and followed warnings from both the U.S. embassy and the FSB about potential extremist activities.