Moscow’s attack on Saturday and Sunday in the Islamic State isn’t being used against a terrorist group in its home territory, according to Putin
The United States collected intelligence in March that Islamic State-Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, the branch of the group based in Afghanistan, had been planning an attack on Moscow, according to officials. One U.S. official has said that there are members of the terrorist group in Russia.
The United States had warned Iran about a possible attack in the lead up to twin bomb blasts at a memorial service in January that killed 103 people and wounded more than 200 others.
The US Embassy in Russia issued a security advisory for Americans living there after learning of the intelligence.
The attack on Friday in Moscow, like a January assault in Iran claimed by the group, could prompt a reassessment of its ability to strike outside its home territory.
In his remarks on Saturday, Putin made no mention of ISIS-K, instead accusing Ukrainian authorities of trying to help the four assailants escape via Ukraine.
US counterterrorism officials say the Islamic State is increasing its external attacks after a quiet period. The group had diminished capabilities after most of the plots in Europe were stopped.
Reuters news agency is reporting that the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, is claiming responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel. But this claim has not been independently verified.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s First Televised Address to the Nation in the light of the Crocus City Hall Shooting on Friday evening
The death toll from a mass shooting at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow Friday evening has risen to at least 133 people, as emergency responders continued to clear away the rubble. At least another 145 others were reported injured.
Some Russian officials are suggesting there must be some Ukrainian role, a claim the Ukrainians deny. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted “Ukraine certainly had nothing to do with the shooting in the Crocus City Hall. It doesn’t make sense.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the images of the shooting were “horrible and hard to watch.” The US embassy in Moscow warned Americans to avoid the area.
The Dubrovka theater in Moscow was the location of a hostage crisis in 2002 in which 800 theater goers were kidnapped by Chechens. A raid by Russian security forces to end the crisis killed or caused the death of 172 people.
In his first televised address to the nation since the attacks took place, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday afternoon that the Kremlin had arrested all four assailants directly involved in the shooting as well as seven others with suspected ties to the attack.
“They 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 state border,” Putin said.
The attack began late Friday after camouflaged gunmen carrying automatic assault rifles burst into the Crocus City Hall — a large shopping and entertainment center on the western outskirts of Moscow. Concertgoers had gathered at the venue to see the veteran Russian rock band Piknik.