The international community is unanimous in condemning Friday's terror attack at a concert hall near Moscow, which has been carried out by the so-called Islamic State. UN Statements were issued to members of the Security Council, world leaders and diplomatic ministries, among others. Yulia Navalnaya, wife of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, also expressed her condolences.
Masked assailants opened fire at a rock concert at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow. According to the latest reports, 60 people were killed and 145 injured.
“Members of the Security Council strongly condemn the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia, on March 22, 2024,” the UN said.
“The members of the Security Council stressed the need to hold accountable the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism,” the statement added.
There was a terrorist attack in RussiaVASILY PRUDNIKOV/PAP/EPA
European leaders have condemned the attack in Moscow
In a statement released by French President Emmanuel Macron, he said, “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State.” The president stressed France's solidarity with the victims of the attack, their families and loved ones.
“The brutality of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable,” Giorgia Meloni said on the X platform. The Italian prime minister “firmly and completely” condemned the perpetrators of “this heinous act of terrorism”. “I express my full solidarity with the victims of this situation and the families of the victims,” he added.
“The images of the brutal attack on innocent people in Crocus City Hall are appalling,” the German Foreign Ministry insisted. The background of this incident should be investigated as soon as possible. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
Spanish diplomacy also expressed “concern at news from Russia”. “We stand in solidarity with the victims, their families and the Russian people. Spain condemns all forms of violence,” it said.
America's words of support
White House spokesman John Kirby acknowledged that the images the world is seeing from Russia are “simply horrific and difficult to watch.” – Our thoughts, of course, are with the victims of this terrible attack – he added.
In turn, Republican Senator Mitt Romney said, “Deliberately attacking and killing civilians, whether it's Putin against Ukrainians or terrorists against Russians, is bad and wrong.”
Russia's allies express their condolences
“We are deeply shocked by the heinous terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall shopping center in Moscow,” the Serbian Foreign Ministry wrote.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, the people of Russia and the colleagues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. We wish the injured a speedy and complete recovery,” it said.
In turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus wrote on the X platform that it “follows what is happening in Moscow with deep pain.” “There is no justification for this heinous act of terrorism,” it stressed.
“In these difficult moments, we stand with the fraternal Russian nation. We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” it added.
In response, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his country “condemns this terrible act of terrorism.” – We express our deepest condolences to the government and people of Russia, he added.
Yulia Navalnaya: A Dream in the Crocus Hall
“Ukraine has nothing to do with these events,” the adviser to the Ukrainian president, Mykola Podoluk, assured. – We have a full-scale war, a total war against the regular Russian army and the Russian Federation as a country. Whatever the situation, everything will be decided on the battlefield, he said.
“What a nightmare at Crocus Hall. Condolences to the families of the victims and best wishes for the recovery of the injured,” Yulia Navalna, wife of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, wrote on Platform X.
“All persons involved in this crime must be traced and brought to justice,” he added.
Main photo source: VASILY PRUDNIKOV/PAP/EPA