Johnathan Paoli
Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin has called the recent musical concert attack a barbaric act of terrorism and vowed to punish the perpetrators.
Putin delivered a public address on Saturday, in which he condemned the attack and accused Ukraine of preparing a “window” to help the suspects escape.
“They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border,” he said.
However, Kyiv has staunchly denied any involvement, with Defence Intelligence of Ukraine spokesperson Andrii Yusov saying his country had nothing to do with the terror attack.
Friday night terrorists staged a brutal attack at Crocus City Hall, a popular concert venue complex near Moscow, which left more than 130 people dead and even more wounded after assailants stormed the venue with guns and incendiary devices.
The head of the country’s Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed that 11 people have been arrested, including all four gunmen suspected of carrying out the attack at the crowded concert venue in a Moscow suburb.
The country’s investigative committee said at least 133 people are now known to have been killed as more bodies were recovered from the rubble, with the death toll expected to rise.
The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility however failed to provide proof of the claim.
The Russian president has declared Sunday a day of mourning in Russia for those killed in Friday night’s concert attack.
Putin made the declaration during a televised address to Russians in which he discussed the nation’s response to the attack.
Leaders around the world, including the French, Israeli and Turkish presidents, have expressed their condolences and condemnation of the onslaught.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also denounced the attack, and said that ISIS is a significant global threat at a news conference on Saturday.
Dubai’s 163-floor Burj Khalifa skyscraper was lit up on Saturday in the colors of Russia’s flag for several minutes to acknowledge the country’s loss, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Meanwhile DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said all South African embassy staff in Moscow were accounted for.
“We’ve also made contact with all South African students that we know of who are based in Moscow and they are all safe. The South African government condemns this and all other acts of terror,” Monyela said.
The spokesperson said that the department believes that terrorism in any shape or form, and for whatever reason, does not belong in society and should be condemned by all.
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