World leaders denounced the deadly attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall on Friday that killed at least 93 people and wounded over 100.
Ukraine, which has been facing a Russian military offensive for the past two years, was quick to deny any involvement in the attack. “We had nothing to do” with it, presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Telegram.
The main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian defense ministry said “the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on Putin’s orders,” alleging that the aim was to “further escalate and expand the war” with Ukraine.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres condemned “in the strongest possible terms today’s (Friday) terrorist attack” and “conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families, the people, and the Government of the Russian Federation,” spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement.
The UN Security Council also offered its condolences and urged all states “to cooperate actively” with the Russian government to hold perpetrators and backers of “these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”
The White House sent its condolences to the victims of the “terrible” shooting. It also said that the United States warned Russian authorities earlier in March about a “planned terrorist attack” possibly targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow.
Chinese President Xi Jinping “strongly condemned” the attack, stressing that “China opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports the Russian government’s efforts to safeguard its national security and stability,” Xinhua news agency said.
The European Union said it was “shocked and appalled” by the Moscow attack. “The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected,” said an EU spokesman.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he “strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State” and expressed “France’s solidarity with the victims and all the Russian people.”
The Palestinian Authority also condemned the attack and “affirmed its solidarity and support for the Russian leadership and the friendly people of Russia,” according to the official Wafa news agency.
In the deadliest attack in Russia in more than a decade, assailants dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the Crocus City venue ahead of the start of a rock concert, opened fire, and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb. The assault was claimed by the Islamic State group.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment publicly on the attack.
With AFP
