After the bloodbath in Moscow

White House: “No evidence” of Ukraine attack

(Bild: Associated Press)

After the massacre at an event hall in the Moscow region, there is horror in Russia. The authorities have already opened proceedings for a suspected "act of terrorism". All mass events in the capital have been canceled for the weekend. The USA sees no evidence that Ukraine is responsible for the attack.

According to Russian news agencies, which cite the FSB domestic intelligence service, 40 people are feared dead and more than 100 injured. Several attackers dressed in camouflage opened fire on Friday evening shortly before the start of a concert at Crocus City Hall.

USA warns: "No evidence" of Ukrainian perpetrators
Shortly after the attack became known, there were initial reactions from abroad. When asked, the White House stated that there were currently no indications of a connection to Ukraine. "There is no evidence that Ukraine or Ukrainians had anything to do with the shooting," said the communications director of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, in Washington.

Kirby: "Pictures are simply terrible"
Not much can be said about the details yet, but at this early stage he strongly advises against the assumption that there is a connection to Ukraine. "The images are simply horrific," Kirby also emphasized and said that his thoughts were with the victims and their families. The US State Department is advising American citizens on the ground to avoid large gatherings of people.

The EU is shocked and appalled by the reports of a terrorist attack, a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Platform X on Friday evening. "The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all Russian citizens affected."

The Austrian Foreign Ministry also reacted "shocked" on X to the act of terror in Moscow. "Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and we wish all those injured a speedy recovery. We are in constant contact with the Austrian embassy in Moscow and are monitoring events closely," the tweet, written in English, continued.

Putin to closely follow news of attack
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed about the events "from the very first minute". According to Interfax, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that he was constantly receiving all important information about the events and the measures taken via the relevant services.

The head of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, threatened the masterminds of the attack with retaliation. "Those behind this terrible crime will receive the deserved and inevitable punishment," she wrote on her Telegram channel. She also announced that the state would do everything in its power to help the bereaved.

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No events at the weekend
Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin canceled all sports, cultural and other events for the weekend in the evening. He asked for understanding for the measure, he wrote on his Telegram channel.

Navalny's widow expresses sympathy for victims
The widow of the deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, expressed her condolences to the families of the victims. Navalnaya lives in exile. Her husband, once a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in a Russian prison camp just a few weeks ago.