Zelensky says Putin seeking to ‘shift the blame’ for Moscow attack onto Kyiv

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MOSCOW CONCERT HALL ATTACK

Russian authorities arrested four men suspected of carrying out the attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday in an address to the nation, claiming that the suspects were captured while fleeing to Ukraine. Kyiv strongly denied any involvement in the deadly attack, for which the Islamic State group's Afghan affiliate claimed responsibility. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.

Issued on: 22/03/2024 - 18:54Modified: 23/03/2024 - 17:13

1 min

People gather at a makeshift memorial for the victims of Friday's shooting attack outside the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow on March 23, 2024.

Summary:

The death toll from the armed attack on Friday evening that took place at the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow has risen to at least 133, with more than 100 people injured, in the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.
In an address to the nation on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said authorities had detained 11 people, including four who took part in the attack. He also suggested they had been trying to cross the border into Ukraine.
Ukraine emphatically denied any involvement in the attack, with President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Putin of seeking to "shift the blame" onto Kyiv.
The Islamic State (IS) group's Afghan affiliate has claimed responsibility for the attack and posted a photograph of the four alleged assailants.
Investigators said the assailants opened fire on security guards at the entrance to the cultural complex, then on the audience gathered inside the concert hall, while also setting fire to the building with a "flammable liquid".

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP & Reuters)