24 March declared a ‘National Day of Mourning’
Russia claimed that the suspects in a terrorist attack in Moscow were caught trying to flee to the Ukrainian border.
According to Reuters and Interfax on the 23rd (local time), the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that four suspects directly involved in the Moscow terrorist attack fled to the Ukrainian border and contacted Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech to the nation that day that he had received preliminary information that some people on the Ukrainian side had prepared for the suspects to cross the border.
President Putin declared the 24th a day of national mourning.
Russia said it would retaliate immediately if it was found that Ukraine was responsible. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council, said on Telegram, “If it is confirmed that they are terrorists of the Ukrainian regime, we will destroy them mercilessly,” and “die for death.”
However, the Ukrainian side said that this incident had nothing to do with them. “We are not involved in this terrorist attack,” a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman told Reuters: “Ukraine is defending its sovereignty against Russian invaders and is fighting occupation forces, not civilians. “
This terrorist attack happened the day before in the Crocus City Hall concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, the capital. Gunmen who broke into the concert hall fired automatic rifles at the audience, and at least two explosions occurred. The suspects left the scene in two cars. The incident happened when around 6,000 people had gathered to watch a performance by a popular rock band at the time.
Authorities said 115 people have so far died and 107 have been hospitalized. After the incident, the Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Russian authorities later announced that they had detained 11 people, including four suspects directly involved in the incident.
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