Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
What happened
Russia arrested 11 people over the weekend in connection with Friday night's terrorist attack at the popular Crocus City Hall theater outside Moscow. At least 137 concertgoers were killed when four gunmen opened fire then set the building on fire. The four alleged gunmen, all Tajik citizens, appeared in court Sunday evening showing signs of severe beating.
Who said what
The Islamic State claimed responsibility and released purported body-camera footage of the attack. But Russian President Vladimir Putin, who publicly dismissed U.S. warnings of a terrorist attack in Moscow last week, didn't mention ISIS on Saturday when he addressed the massacre. Instead, he suggested Ukraine had prepared a "window" for the gunmen to cross the wartime border. Kyiv unequivocally denied involvement. "ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.
The commentary
Russians will see this as "Putin's failure to deliver" on promised "peace and stability," former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov said to The Washington Post. The attack exposes how "overstretched" Putin is with his Ukraine war, Nick Paton Walsh said at CNN. When civilians were attacked in Moscow, "special forces did not race in; they are dead, or busy elsewhere."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Putin will "use the attack to deceive Russians and mobilize more young men to be cannon fodder" in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal said in an editorial. And "Ukraine will have to brace itself for missile attacks as part of this latest Putin misdirection."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Epic meltdown'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The World of Tim Burton: a 'creepy, witty and visually ravishing' exhibition
The Week Recommends Sprawling show at the Design Museum features over 600 exhibits from across the directors' five-decade career from early sketches to costumes and props
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: October 31, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris makes closing case in huge rally at DC's Ellipse
Speed Read The Democratic nominee asked voters to "turn the page" on Trump's "division" and "chaos"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Kamala Harris offers continuity on NATO, Ukraine
Hers is a sharp contrast to Donald Trump's approach
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I am not a Nazi,' Trump says amid MSG rally fallout
Speed Read Trump and his campaign are attempting to stem the fallout from comments made by speakers at Sunday's rally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ballot drop boxes set on fire in Oregon, Washington
Speed Read Hundreds of submitted ballots were destroyed in Vancouver, Washington
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel votes to ban UN agency for Palestinians
Speed Read UNRWA provides food, medical care and other humanitarian assistance to Palestine
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Elon Musk is in regular contact with Putin, WSJ says
Speed Read The Tesla founder has been increasingly involved in Donald Trump's presidential campaign
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published