Terror attack in Moscow: Death toll rises to 115

At least 115 people were killed and 187 injured in a terrorist attack at a theater on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia on the evening of March 22. This number may still increase.
Guardian quoted the latest information from the Russian Investigation Committee saying that the total number of people killed in the attack so far is 115 people, an increase of 22 people compared to the previously announced number.

Previously, media outlets Sputnik and Al Jazeera quoted information from the Russian Investigative Committee saying that the death toll in the terrorist attack on the theater in the Crocus City complex, on the outskirts of Moscow, had increased to 93 people. including 3 children. In addition, at least 187 other people were injured.

Among those killed, the youngest victim was 33 years old, the oldest was 71 years old. Preliminary data show that the causes of death of the victims were gunshot wounds and gas poisoning. According to preliminary investigations, the terrorists used machine guns to attack and used flammable liquid to set fire to the theater hall.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said the government will provide financial support to the victims and families of the victims of the attack. The level of support ranges from 500,000 rubles to 3 million rubles. In addition, the government will hold funerals for the victims.

The FSB announcement said: "After carrying out the terrorist attack, the criminal group intended to cross the Russia-Ukraine border and had contact with the Ukrainian side. The investigation into the terrorist attack is being carried out." continue".

Previously, Russian parliamentarian Alexander Khinshtein said that the suspects were arrested while driving a car to escape. This car was detained by Russian forces in the Bryansk region, about 340km southwest of Moscow, on the evening of March 22.

Authorities found pistols, rifles and Tajikistan nationality passports inside the car.
Russia accused Ukraine of being involved in the terrorist attack, however, Kiev denied it. Local media said that Russian authorities arrested 11 suspects, including 4 suspects believed to be directly involved in the attack.

The US identifies a suspect in the Moscow terrorist attack

US officials determined the reliability of the claim by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) that this organization was involved in the Moscow terrorist attack that killed more than 60 people on the evening of March 22.
Many speculations have arisen surrounding the terrorist attack at the Crocus City shopping and entertainment complex in Krasnogorsk, a city northwest of Moscow on the evening of March 22. An armed group broke into a theater hall here, opened fire on the crowd and detonated an explosive device. The attack left more than 60 people dead and more than 100 injured. Russian authorities said the number of casualties could increase.

The US confirmed that IS was the culprit The terrorist group Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), a branch of the Islamic State terrorist organization (IS) in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

"Islamic State militants attacked a large Christian gathering in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow, killing and injuring hundreds of people and causing extensive damage." for this area before withdrawing to the base," ISKP posted on the organization's media page.

ISKP did not provide evidence for its claim. However, US intelligence told media outlets that there was "no reason to doubt" ISKP's statement. ISKP was founded in 2015. In just a short time, ISKP has consolidated territorial control in several rural districts in northern and northeastern Afghanistan, and launched a deadly campaign across Afghanistan and Pakistan. By 2018, ISKP had become one of the four terrorist organizations that killed the most people in the world.

This group claims to be behind deadly attacks across the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Europe, Philippines, and Sri Lanka. In January, this group claimed responsibility for a double bombing in Iran that killed nearly 100 people.

"ISKP and its allies reside and operate primarily in Afghanistan, and they also continue to expand their network beyond Afghanistan's borders. Their goals do not stop there. They call for attacks globally "Taliban's efforts to restrain this force proved ineffective," General Michael Kurilla, a commander of the US Central Command, said earlier this month.

According to experts, in recent years, this organization has begun to target Russia more, especially after Russia sent military forces to Syria in 2015 at the request of President Bashar al-Assad's government to deal with the situation. rebel forces and terrorist organizations, including IS. The Russian Federal Security Service announced on March 7 that it had successfully prevented an ISKP terrorist attack on a synagogue in the Kaluga region near Moscow.

Just a few hours later, the US Embassy in Moscow advised US citizens to avoid crowded gatherings, especially music venues, and called on US citizens to leave Russia if possible. Guardian quoted unnamed US officials as saying: "Since November last year there has been quite specific intelligence that ISKP wants to carry out attacks in Russia.

US intelligence has warned Russia about that." ". The Russian Investigative Committee has opened an investigation into the attack as a terrorist incident. Security forces are said to still be searching for the suspects.

Ukraine affirmed that it was not involved

Russia's Security Council suspects Ukraine was involved in the attack. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine rejected the accusation and said that the accusation was only intended to "incite" the Russian people against Ukraine. On the US side, White House spokesman John Kirby said there was no indication that Ukrainian authorities or citizens were involved in the terrorist attack.

Responding to the White House's comments, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "The White House said it saw no signs that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the terrorist attack in Moscow. Background Why do they come to such a conclusion? If the US has reliable information about this case, they must immediately share it with Russia. Otherwise, they have no right to pardon anyone."

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned that if Moscow discovers any evidence that Kiev was involved in the attack, all those involved will be hunted down and paid mercilessly, including government officials.