Where is the Russian President, US confirmation of the culprit and Ukraine's reaction; what is special about Crocus City Hall?

Latest information on the attack at Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital Moscow...

Vụ tấn công tại Moscow: Tổng thống Nga ở đâu, Mỹ xác nhận về thủ phạm, phản ứng của Ukraine, địa điểm Crocus City Hall có gì đặc biệt?

The attack at Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital Moscow. (Source: Getty Images)

The Russian Federal Security Service confirmed that there were many casualties in the shooting attack at Crocus City Hall and announced the deployment of all operational measures regarding this emergency.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry said the level of complexity of the attack in Crocus was increasing. Firefighters have so far evacuated about 100 people from the basement of the building. An operation is underway to rescue those who gathered on the roof of the concert hall after the shooting.

Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov arrived at the scene.

The Telegram channel of SHOT TV channel reported that Moscow has implemented the Sirena plan throughout the city – an action plan for an emergency when it is necessary to carry out professional measures and arrest especially dangerous criminals.

Under this plan, the entire police force is being mobilized to strengthen measures.

Security measures have been increased at railway stations, on trains, public transport stops and in crowded places. The Russian aviation authority has also tightened security measures at Moscow airports, asking passengers to arrive at the airport earlier than usual.

On the same day, the Russian Federal Investigation Agency opened a criminal case in the shooting in Crocus that caused many casualties.

According to information from sources, some of the shooters managed to escape outside and hide.

* Russian President's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin was informed about the terrorist shooting at Crocus City Hall from the very beginning. President Putin directly gave the necessary instructions and was constantly updated on the developments of the incident.

* The White House said on March 22 that it did not imply that Ukraine was involved in the deadly attack on Crocus City Hall.

“There is no indication at this time that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a press conference. The White House also said it “does not encourage or permit Ukraine to attack inside Russia.”

In response, the official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova doubted that Washington officials had the right to draw “any conclusions in the midst of the tragedy about the innocence of anyone.”

The diplomat added that if Washington does not have information about the organizers of the terrorist attack, “the White House has no right to issue a pardon to anyone.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federal Security Council Dmitry Medvedev announced that Russia will find and destroy top Ukrainian officials if they are involved in the terrorist attack on the evening of March 22.

On his Telegram page, Mr. Medvedev stated: "If it is determined that they are terrorists of the Kiev government... they must all be found and brutally destroyed like terrorists... Including the leader of the country who committed this crime. Blood must be paid for with blood."

* Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian President Mikhail Podolyak denied Kiev's involvement in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.

On his Telegram channel, Mr. Podolyak declared: “Once again, I affirm that Ukraine has nothing to do with the terrorist attack or shooting in Crocus City.”

* Meanwhile, on March 22, a branch of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for an attack in the suburbs of Moscow that killed at least 62 people and injured more than 100. US officials confirmed the claim shortly afterwards.

The U.S. gathered intelligence in March that the Islamic State-Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, the group’s Afghanistan-based affiliate, was planning an attack on Moscow, officials said. A U.S. official said IS members have been active in Russia for some time.

After a period of relative inactivity, IS is looking to step up attacks outside Afghanistan, according to US counterterrorism officials. Most of those plots in Europe have been thwarted, leading experts to assess that the group’s capabilities have been degraded.

“ISIS-K has focused on Russia over the past two years because of Moscow’s interventions in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria,” said Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a New York-based security consulting firm.

In addition to the March 7 public warning of a possible attack, U.S. officials said they privately briefed Russian officials on intelligence that predicted an attack was imminent. It is unclear how much information the U.S. provided Russian officials beyond what was in the public warning.

* Crocus City Hall, the site of the bloody attack and fire, is a large-scale performance complex. The complex is located near a Moscow Metro station and right next to the Moscow City Ring Road, although it is technically outside the Russian capital's city limits.

The complex includes a shopping mall and a convention center that hosts events such as auto shows. The relatively small performance space has hosted a range of Russian and international stars. British comedian and politician Eddie Izzard performed a solo performance in English in 2013. Meanwhile, the popular Soviet-era rock band Piknik is scheduled to perform on the evening of March 22.

The arena was built by real estate developer Aras Agalarov, a prominent and influential figure in Russia. Mr. Agalarov, 68, was born in Azerbaijan but is a Russian citizen. Forbes listed him as a billionaire with a net worth of $1.2 billion in 2021. His company, Crocus Group, specializes in luxury retail and entertainment projects.

Last week, Forbes Russia reported that Aras and his son Emin Agalarov had to take out personal loans to save the business. According to Russian media, the father and son arrived at the scene of the attack and fire on the evening of March 22.

Emin Agalarov is also a pop singer and has performed at the venue. Emin is the ex-husband of the daughter of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Crocus City Hall opened in 2009 as a tribute to Muslim Magomayev, a famous Soviet-era pop singer also from Azerbaijan. The Crocus City Hall has a capacity of 9,500 people.

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