«Terrorist» attack in the Crocus City Hall concert hall, in the north-western outskirts of Moscow, the largest in the Russian capital, packed (about six thousand spectators) for the performance of a rock group, Picnic.
According to the Russian media, there are dozens of victims (at least forty, but the toll is constantly updated) and around a hundred people injured . Among the spectators involved there were also children.
Explosions were also heard in the building and high flames rose due to a fire that broke out - or was started - on the roof. The Ria Novosti agency released the image of the fire that lit up the night in Moscow, with a thick column of smoke in the sky.
At least four people in camouflage opened fire with Kalashnikovs, grenades and Molotov cocktails.
In a video posted by Novaya Gazeta Europa, the attackers can be seen advancing and shooting in cold blood at some people who are trying to take shelter in a corner just outside the entrance, in a shopping centre, and then enter the concert hall.
After the alarm was raised, the police and the tough guys intervened on site: the Russian rapid reaction special teams (Sobr) and the special mobile police units (Omon) of Moscow. Numerous fire brigade teams and dozens of ambulances were also in action.
According to some sources , the commando fled after the raid and the FSB confirmed that the services are carrying out "search and investigation operations". A car bomb was also found in the car park of the concert hall.
The Islamist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.
Last March 7 , an alert was received from the American embassy which spoke of the risk of attacks in Russia, especially in crowded places such as concert halls.
The reactions to the incident were immediate, of which – specifies the Kremlin – President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed.
“This is a terrorist attack,” confirmed the Moscow Foreign Ministry, urging “the whole world to condemn” the attack, following which all public events scheduled in the Federation were cancelled.
"Horrible images", the comment of the spokesman for the US National Security Council John Kirby . “Our thoughts are with the victims,” Kirby added, also explaining that “there is no sign at this time of Ukraine or Ukrainians being involved in the shooting in Moscow.”
Spokesmen for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Kiev "had nothing to do" with the terrorist attack on Moscow .
On the other hand, the former president and current vice-president of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev is very harsh: «Russia will kill the Ukrainian leaders if they are involved in the attack on Moscow».
«I spoke with our Charge d'Affaires in Russia for updates on what is happening in Moscow. We are following the situation with the Farnesina Crisis Unit. I express condemnation of all forms of terrorism and solidarity with the families of the victims ", wrote the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani on social media.
«The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable . Firm and total condemnation of the Italian Government for this heinous act of terrorism. I express my full solidarity with the people affected and the families of the victims", wrote the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in a note. And a message of closeness to the families of the victims and condemnation of the incident also came from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Furthermore, "the EU is shocked and horrified by the news of a terrorist attack in Moscow's Crocus municipality" and "condemns any attack against civilians", said EU foreign policy spokesperson Peter Stano . Adding: "Our thoughts go out to all Russian citizens affected."
A comment by Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny, also appeared on social media: «What a nightmare in Crocus. Condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for recovery to the injured. All those involved in this crime must be found and convicted."
(Unioneonline/Dl.f.)
