Moscow attack: Putin vows retribution for ‘barbaric terrorist act’, FSB says gunmen have Ukraine contacts

President Vladimir Putin says in a televised address that he is ready to work with any state to defeat ‘international terrorism’

Russia’s state Investigative Committee says 133 people have been killed in the attack on a concert hall in a Moscow suburb

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Footage from the Russian Investigative Committee shows rescuers working inside the Crocus City Hall, a day after a gun attack in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow. Photo: AFP

Agence France-Presse,ReutersandBloomberg

Published: 10:48pm, 23 Mar 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called an attack on a concert hall that killed more than 100 a “barbaric terrorist act” and vowed harsh retribution to all those involved.

In a televised address, Putin said all four gunmen had been arrested before they had a chance to cross the border into Ukraine.

“I am speaking to you today in connection with the bloody, barbaric terrorist act, the victims of which were dozens of innocent, peaceful people,” Putin said in his first public remarks since the attack.

“All four perpetrators of the terrorist attack who shot and killed people have been detained. They were travelling towards Ukraine where, according to preliminary information, they had a window to cross the border,” the Kremlin leader said.

Gunmen attacked the Crocus City Hall in a suburb on the northern edge of Moscow on Friday. The attack has been claimed by Islamic State group but Russian authorities have not mentioned this.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses citizens on March 23, 2024, following a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow region a day earlier. Photo: EPA-EFE

“Terrorists, murderers, non-humans will face the unenviable fate of retribution and oblivion,” said Putin, who declared Sunday a day of national mourning across Russia.