Death toll rises to 133 in Moscow concert hall attack

Attack at Moscow concert hall sees an increase in casualties, with ISIS identified as the responsible party, according to the White House.

Mar 24, 2024 - 07:27

Death toll rises to 133 in Moscow concert hall attack

In the wake of an attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the Moscow region, the death toll has climbed to 133. The incident has sparked discussions in Russia about the reintroduction of the death penalty for so-called “terrorists.”

Denis Pushilin, leader of the Donetsk militants, has pointed fingers at Ukraine for the attack. However, US confirmed ISIS was behind the attack. The White House stated that it sees no signs of Ukrainian involvement in the attack.

Moreover, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense labeled the attack a deliberate provocation by Putin’s regime, a claim supported by the lack of evidence implicating Ukraine.

“This is a deliberate provocation by Putin’s special services, which the international community had warned about. The Kremlin tyrant started his career with this, and he wants to end it with similar crimes against his own citizens,” Andriy Yusov, representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said in a comment to Ukrainian media outlet “Ukrainska Pravda”

The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the rise in casualties. This attack marks the deadliest in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004, which claimed 334 lives.

In response, some Russian lawmakers, including State Duma Deputy Mikhail Sheremet from occupied Crimea, are advocating for the death penalty for terrorists. Vladimir Vasiliev, head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma, indicated that a decision aligning with public expectations would be made.

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the suspects had been given a “window” to cross the border from Ukraine, a claim dismissed by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.

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