Putin Vows to Go After Those Responsible for Moscow Terrorist Attack, Claims Suspects Tried to Flee to Ukraine

In a solemn declaration, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to “punish” all parties involved in the tragic terrorist assault on Moscow's Crocus City Hall.

Reports indicate that Putin has also pointed fingers at suspected attackers attempting to flee into Ukraine following the horrific incident, suggesting possible collaboration from the Ukrainian side.

On March 22, Russia was rocked when armed attackers unleashed explosive violence upon civilians attending a concert at Crocus City Hall in Moscow. The attack claimed over 130 lives and left more than 180 injured, with significant damage inflicted upon the venue itself as it was set ablaze by the perpetrators.

ISIS-K, an ISIS affiliate known for its activities in Afghanistan and neighboring regions, asserted responsibility for the Moscow attack through a statement on the Telegram channel of Amaq, an ISIS-affiliated news agency.

The statement, as reported by Reuters, described the assault as targeting a large gathering of Christians in Krasnogorsk, a city on the outskirts of Moscow, resulting in widespread casualties and destruction.

President Putin condemned the Moscow massacre as a "bloody, barbaric terrorist act" in his official address. He asserted that all individuals involved, including organizers and masterminds, would face just and inevitable consequences.

According to Reuters, Putin vowed to identify and punish every perpetrator, emphasizing the determination to root out terrorism against Russia and its people.

Putin revealed that all four main perpetrators of the attack had been apprehended. He claimed that they attempted to flee towards Ukraine, where preliminary evidence suggests assistance may have been provided from the Ukrainian side to facilitate their escape.

However, Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov vehemently denied any involvement in the terror attack, labeling Putin's allegations as baseless fabrications.

Ukrainian Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak took to social media to refute any connection between the Moscow attack and the conflict in Ukraine, dismissing the claims as nonsensical. Podolyak emphasized Ukraine's commitment to sovereignty and reiterated that Ukraine has never resorted to terrorist tactics.

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In the wake of the tragic incident, President Putin expressed willingness to collaborate with any state in combating international terrorism, as reported by Reuters. He announced heightened security measures nationwide in response to the attack, which is considered one of the deadliest in Russia in nearly two decades.

As a consequence of the terror attack, all public events and gatherings in Moscow were canceled for the weekend, and security measures at the region's four main airports were elevated to the highest level, according to Al Jazeera.