Russia observed a day of mourning as flags were lowered to half-mast following the deadly attack at a concert hall near Moscow, marking the deadliest assault inside the country in two decades. President Vladimir Putin declared Sunday a national day of mourning, promising swift action against those responsible for the tragedy that claimed the lives of 137 individuals, including three children, with 182 others sustaining injuries.
Addressing the nation, President Putin condemned the attack and vowed to punish all those involved. Videos circulated showing a solemn President Putin lighting a candle at a church to honor the victims.
The attack, which occurred at the Crocus City Hall during a concert, saw armed assailants open fire on civilians attending the event. Despite claims of responsibility by the Islamic State, President Putin refrained from directly attributing the attack to the militant group, instead suggesting that the attackers sought refuge in Ukraine.
In response, Moscow’s Basmanny district court charged four suspects with acts of terrorism in connection with the attack. The suspects, identified as citizens of Tajikistan residing in Russia, were remanded in pre-trial custody until May 22, with three of them reportedly pleading guilty to all charges.
Images from the courtroom depicted the suspects with visible injuries, raising concerns about their treatment while in detention. However, the authenticity of unverified videos showing alleged torture remains unclear.
The attack, reminiscent of the 2004 Beslan school siege, elicited global condemnation, with countries expressing solidarity with Russia. The White House emphasized that Islamic State bore sole responsibility for the attack and refuted any Ukrainian involvement.
As Russia grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev underscored the nation’s resolve to pursue justice relentlessly. Amid discussions about the reinstatement of the death penalty, Russia remains focused on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the heinous act.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Russia and the global community, underscoring the importance of concerted efforts to combat terrorism and uphold peace and stability.
