Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack

Putin will "use the attack to deceive Russians and mobilize more young men to be cannon fodder" in Ukraine

(Image credit: Stringer / AFP via Getty Images)

published 25 March 2024

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.

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.

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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.