Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed action against perpetrators of the devastating attack in Moscow at the Crocus City Hall on Friday (Mar 22) that killed at least 133 people.
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday (Mar 23), the Russian leader said, “All the executors, planners and those who ordered this crime will be rightfully and inevitably punished, whoever they are and whoever directed them. Let me repeat: we will identify and punish everyone who stood behind the terrorists, who prepared this attack against Russia, against our people.”
Putin citing an investigation into the attack also claimed that four attackers were fleeing towards Ukraine when they were nabbed. He said that after carrying out the heinous crime the four were trying to hide and escape to Ukraine by crossing the Russian borders.
“Regarding the investigation of this crime and results of operational search actions, I can now say the following: all four of the actual performers of the act of terror, all those who shot and killed people were found and detained. They tried to hide and were moving in the direction of Ukraine.”
“There, according to the preliminary data, they had a crossing of the border prepared from the Ukrainian side. Overall, 11 people were detained,” Putin added during his address where he also expressed gratitude to the medical professionals and security personnel who assisted the victims following the terrorist attack.
Putin said that all four perpetrators responsible for the shooting and killings had been apprehended.
He also highlighted preliminary findings indicating potential collaboration from individuals on the Ukrainian side, though such claims were previously dismissed by Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s aide Mykhaylo Podolyak in a post on X social media platform said, “The versions of Russian special services regarding Ukraine are absolutely untenable and absurd.”
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Putin also declared March 24 as a day of national mourning for those killed in the terrorist attack. “I declare the twenty-fourth of March a day of national mourning,” he said in an address to Russians.
Putin condemned the attack as a “barbaric” act of terrorism aimed at causing division and fear among the populace.
“I am addressing you in regards to a bloody, barbaric terror act that killed dozens of peaceful people that were not guilty of anything, our fellow citizens, including children, teenagers, women,” Putin said.
He assured the nation that all involved in orchestrating and executing the attack would be identified and brought to account. “Now the main thing is to not let those behind this bloodbath to commit new crimes.”
Speaking to Russian through his live address, Putin continued by saying that the perpetrators “would not divide us.”
The Interior Ministry of Russia has disclosed that all four individuals suspected of carrying out the attack are foreigners who resided in Tajikistan and orchestrated the assault from there.
(With inputs from agencies)
