World leaders have condemned a deadly attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall that killed 115 people and injured at least 100 others, according to the latest figures. The attackers, dressed in camouflage uniforms, entered the Crocus City venue before the start of a rock concert on Friday, they found fire on the audience and threw incendiary liquid, according to a journalist of the RIA Novosti agency at the scene. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.
President Vladimir Putin wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and conveyed his gratitude to the doctors, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Saturday after a meeting with him. Putin has yet to publicly comment on the attack.
Ukraine had "nothing to do" with the attack, presidential aide Mykhailo Podoliak said on Telegram. Ukraine's Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate said the "terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by Russian special services on Putin's orders", claiming the aim was "further escalation and expansion of the war". with Ukraine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms", his spokesman Farhan Haq said. Guterres "expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of the Russian Federation," he added. The UN Security Council also expressed its condolences and called on all countries to "cooperate actively" with the Russian government and other authorities to bring the perpetrators and supporters of "these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and bring them to justice." - The White House sent its condolences to the victims of the "horrific" attack, saying it was trying to get more information. "Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "The images are just awful and just hard to look at." The White House also said the US warned Russian authorities earlier this month of a "planned terrorist attack" possibly targeting "large gatherings" in Moscow.
Chinese President Xi Jinping "strongly condemned" the attack and sent his condolences to Putin, state media said. Xi "stressed that China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns the terrorist attack and firmly supports the Russian government's efforts to protect its national security and stability," Xinhua news agency said.
The European Union said it was "shocked and appalled" by the attack in Moscow. "The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all Russian citizens affected," an EU spokesman said.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the UK condemned "the deadliest terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms". "We offer our heartfelt condolences and express our deepest sympathy to the families of the many victims," he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he "strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State". "France expresses its solidarity with the victims, their relatives and the entire Russian people," the Elysee Palace said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the "horrific terrorist attack on innocent bystanders" in a post on the X Network and said "our thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those injured". Germany's foreign ministry called the footage of the attack "horrifying" in a post on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the attack a "heinous act of terrorism". "The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable," Meloni said in a statement, expressing his "full solidarity with the people affected and the families of the victims."
Spain said it was "shocked" by the attack and "condemns any form of violence". "Our solidarity with the victims, their families and the Russian people," the Spanish Foreign Ministry wrote.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry said in X that it was "appalled by the attack" and condemned "all attacks on civilians".
The Danish foreign ministry condemned the "horrific attack in Moscow" and sent "condolences to the victims and their relatives" in a post on X.
"Saddened by the tragic events tonight in Moscow. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and all those affected," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on X.
The presidency of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack and "reaffirmed its solidarity and support for the Russian leadership and the friendly people of Russia, emphasizing its desire for stability in the friendly Russian Federation," the official UAFA news agency reported.
In a letter to Putin, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the attack was linked to the "painful defeats of neo-Nazism" in Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine. He said "we condemn this brutal act and all the bloodshed perpetrated by terrorists around the world" and pledged to support Putin "in our joint war against terrorism and cross-border extremism".
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in a telegram to Putin, expressed his condolences, according to the presidency's website. Raisi also called for serious action by the international community to punish the plotters and perpetrators.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned "this heinous terrorist attack against innocent civilians" and sent condolences to the Russian people and government.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, stressed in X that he was "shocked to learn of the horrific terrorist attack in Moscow". He expressed solidarity with the Russian people and government "after this heinous attack".
"We express our support for President Vladimir Putin and raise our voice to categorically reject any act of violence," Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stressed in X.
Mexico's Foreign Ministry said it "rejects any act of violence against civilian life."
"India stands in solidarity with the government and people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in X, condemning the "heinous terrorist attack." - Japan condemned the attack, expressed its condolences to the bereaved and expressed its "heartfelt sympathies to the injured," according to a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobayashi Maki. /BGNES, AFP
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