Day of mourning declared in Moscow after tragic loss of 137 lives

Russia is commemorating a day of mourning following the devastating attack on Friday evening at a crowded concert venue in Moscow, which resulted in the loss of at least 137 lives.

Flags are lowered to half-mast, events are canceled, and TV schedules are adjusted as Russia observes a day of mourning.

Over 140 individuals were injured in the attack at Crocus City Hall, where gunmen stormed in, firing randomly and setting the venue ablaze.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the assault, sharing images of the alleged perpetrators.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the attack as a “barbaric terrorist act” and stated that all four gunmen had been apprehended.

He suggested that the attackers had attempted to flee to Ukraine, a claim Kyiv dismissed as absurd. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of trying to shift blame onto Ukraine. BBC Verify identified similarities between the alleged attackers in the IS video and those arrested.

The US National Security Council had previously warned Russia about potential IS attacks on large gatherings.

The White House condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to defeat IS globally.

The assault occurred during a rock concert attended by up to 6,200 people, causing chaos as gunmen opened fire inside the venue.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as attendees sought refuge from the attackers. The hall was engulfed in flames, with reports indicating significant damage to the building.