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.
-
Scattered Spider: who are the hackers linked to M&S and Co-op cyberattacks?
The Explainer 'Decentralised and adaptive', its mainly English-speaking members operate like an 'organised criminal network'
-
The best birdwatching spots in the UK
The Week Recommends Grab your binoculars to spot puffins, oystercatchers and chiffchaffs
-
'Making memories': the scourge of modern parenting?
In The Spotlight Meghan Markle sends her children emails of each day's 'moments' but is constant 'memory-making' just another burden for parents to bear?
-
Trump is not sure he must follow the Constitution
speed read When asked about due process for migrants in a TV interview, President Trump said he didn't know whether he had to uphold the Fifth Amendment
-
Trump judge bars deportations under 1798 law
speed read A Trump appointee has ruled that the president's use of a wartime act for deportations is illegal
-
Trump ousts Waltz as NSA, taps him for UN role
speed read President Donald Trump removed Mike Waltz as national security adviser and nominated him as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
-
Trump blames Biden for tariffs-linked contraction
speed read The US economy shrank 0.3% in the first three months of 2025, the Commerce Department reported
-
Trump says he could bring back Ábgego García but won't
Speed Read At a rally to mark his 100th day in office, the president doubled down on his unpopular immigration and economic policies
-
Canada's Liberals, Carney win national election
Speed Read The party of Prime Minister Mark Carney beat Conservative Pierre Poilievre thanks in part to Trump's trade war
-
Trump's 100-day approval ratings at historic low
Speed Read Americans appear to be wary of Trump's sweeping tariffs and handling of the economy
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote