Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed deep condolences following Friday’s attack at a concert venue near Moscow, calling it a “barbaric terrorist act”. He mentioned that the perpetrators “tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the border.”

Putin declared Sunday a day of mourning for the victims of the attack and described it as a bloody and barbaric act, which killed dozens of peaceful, innocent people. He expressed gratitude to emergency service workers who “did everything to save people’s lives, to get them out from under fire, from the epicenter of fire and smoke, and to avoid even greater losses.” The government has promised to provide necessary assistance to everyone affected, and additional anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage measures are being introduced in Moscow and the Moscow region.

The tragedy at the concert venue near Moscow has left a deep impact. Efforts continue to combat fires and clear rubble at the Crocus City complex. Firefighters are still working to extinguish fires on the roof, second, and third floors of the venue, which was targeted in the attack. The loss of lives and the devastation caused by such acts of violence are truly heartbreaking.