At least 40 people were killed and 100 others injured after shootings in a concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow on Friday March 22, according to a provisional report from Russian intelligence, cited by national news agencies. The police declared around 11 p.m. (9 p.m. in Paris) to be “looking” Crocus City Hall attackers. Russian President Vladimir Putin is “constantly” informed and was “from the first minutes” of the attack according to its spokesperson. Follow our live stream.
Moscow denounces a “terrorist” attack, an investigation opened. An investigation into a “terrorist act” has been opened, the Russian Investigative Committee said. The spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, Maria Zakharova, denounced “bloody terrorist attack” and one “monstrous crime”. The American embassy in Russia warned its citizens two weeks ago that “Extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts”.
A massive presence of law enforcement and emergency services on site. An AFP journalist saw the building engulfed in a massive fire, with plumes of black smoke escaping from the roof. Law enforcement and emergency services were still present in large numbers around Crocus City Hall on Friday evening. According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, around 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. Paris time), firefighters managed to evacuate around a hundred people who were in the basement of the concert hall.
Ukraine denies any involvement and blames the Russian presidency. The Ukrainian presidency has not “nothing to see” with this attack, kyiv said Friday evening. Ukrainian military intelligence accused the Kremlin and its special services of having orchestrated this deadly attack to accuse Ukraine and justify an “escalation” of the war. For its part, a unit of pro-Ukraine Russian fighters behind recent armed border incursions have also denied any responsibility. The American presidency assures that it has not “no indication at this stage” of Ukrainian involvement.
International reactions. Orthodox Patriarch Kirill “pray for peace for the souls of the deceased”, according to its spokesperson, Vladimir Legoida. For its part, the White House sends its thoughts to the victims of “the horrible shooting”.