International

Russia arrests concert hall gunmen as death toll hits 115

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2024

Russia arrests concert hall gunmen as death toll hits 115

Russia announced on Saturday that it had arrested 11 people, including four gunmen, in connection with the Islamic State’s attack on a Moscow concert hall, as the death toll increased to 115.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment publicly on the attack, and Moscow has not addressed the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility, even as some lawmakers pointed to a possible Ukraine connection.

Camouflaged gunmen opened fire at the packed Crocus City Hall in Moscow’s northern suburb of Krasnogorsk on Friday evening, ahead of a concert by Soviet-era rock band Piknik, in the deadliest attack in Russia for at least a decade.

Russia’s FSB security service said some of the perpetrators had fled towards the Russia-Ukraine border, adding that the assailants had “appropriate contacts” in the country.

It did not provide further details.

Some Russian lawmakers also pointed to Kyiv without providing evidence.

“The main interested party could most likely be Ukraine and its patrons… We can’t rule it out,” said senior Russian MP Andrey Kartapolov.

Ukraine, which has been facing a Russian military offensive for the past two years, had “nothing to do” with the attack, according to a statement by presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak on Telegram.

The Kremlin said the head of the FSB security service had informed President Vladimir Putin about the arrests, while authorities warned the number of fatalities was set to keep rising, with more than 100 still hospitalised and a search of the burnt-out venue ongoing.

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“FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov reported to the president the detention of 11 people, including four terrorists involved in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall,” it said.

In the more than 12 hours since the attack, Putin has not made any public statements or appeared in public.

The Kremlin said Putin was being kept constantly informed, and a government official said he had wished a speedy recovery to the victims.

At least 115 killed

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said rescue workers were still working on site, pulling bodies from the building.

“The emergency services have found more bodies while removing the rubble. The death toll now stands at 115 people,” it said in a statement on Telegram.

The number of fatalities was likely to rise further, as the governor of the Moscow region said rescuers would continue to scour the site for “several days.”

Investigators said people died both from gunshot wounds and from smoke inhalation after a fire engulfed the 6,000-seater venue.

“The terrorists used a flammable liquid to set fire to the concert hall’s premises, where spectators were located, including wounded,” the Investigative Committee said.

Flames had quickly spread through the venue on Friday after reports of the mass shooting, with screaming concert-goers rushing to emergency exits.

Social media footage revealed that some filmed the gunmen from the upper floors as they appeared to methodically walk through the stalls, shooting people.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Friday, saying its fighters attacked “a large gathering” on Moscow’s outskirts and “retreated to their bases safely.”

Russian authorities have called it a “terrorist attack”, but have not commented on the Islamic State’s claim.

Some 107 people were still in hospitals on Saturday morning, according to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry.

Russian Telegram channels, including Baza which is close to the security services, and a lawmaker said some of the suspects were from the central Asian nation of Tajikistan.

In a statement, Tajikistan’s foreign affairs ministry said it had not received any information from Moscow about the involvement of its citizens.

In Moscow, residents formed long queues in the Saturday morning rain to donate blood, according to videos posted by state media outlets.

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Memorial posters featuring a single candle replaced advertising billboards at some Moscow bus stops, the RIA Novosti state agency reported.

Major events were cancelled across the country, including a friendly football match between Russia and Paraguay set to take place in Moscow on Monday.

Statements of condemnation from world leaders continued to roll in.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said the Taliban “condemns in the strongest terms the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia … and considers it a blatant violation of all human standards.”

US warning dismissed

Attention is also being focused on Russia’s powerful intelligence services in the wake of the attack.

Just three days before, Putin had publicly dismissed Western warnings of an imminent attack in Moscow as propaganda designed to scare Russian citizens.

On 7 March, the US embassy in Russia had issued a security alert saying it was “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts.”

Washington said it had directly warned Russian authorities about a “planned terrorist attack” possibly targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow.

The United States had “shared this information with Russian authorities,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.

But speaking to FSB chiefs last Tuesday, Putin said: “Recent provocative statements by a number of official Western structures about the possibility of terrorist attacks in Russia… resemble outright blackmail and an intention to intimidate and destabilise our society.”

Earlier in March, the FSB said it had killed Islamic State militants who were planning an attack on a Moscow synagogue.

Over recent weeks, the agency has announced on an almost daily basis the arrest of several pro-Ukrainian saboteurs it said were plotting attacks on Russian military infrastructure, AFP news agency reported.

Russia arrests concert hall gunmen as death toll hits 115

International

Several U.S. Warplanes Crash in Kuwait Amid Ongoing Iranian Strikes

Published

23 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Several U.S. Warplanes Crash in Kuwait Amid Ongoing Iranian Strikes

Several U.S. military warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday, March 2, 2026, amid ongoing Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence confirmed.

According to the ministry, all aircrews survived, were safely evacuated, and were taken to hospitals for evaluation. Their condition is reported as stable, and an investigation into the cause of the crashes is underway.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that three F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defence systems during heightened aerial operations, marking a friendly-fire incident amid the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict.

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Smoke was also reported near the United States Embassy in Kuwait City, though officials have not confirmed any direct strike on the compound. The embassy issued a security alert advising people to avoid the area due to continuing threats from missiles and drones.

The crashes coincide with Iran’s third consecutive day of retaliatory attacks following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, targeting military bases, infrastructure, and strategic sites across Gulf countries, including UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. Iranian strikes have already resulted in civilian casualties, injuries, and property damage.

Kuwaiti authorities reported that debris from intercepted Iranian missiles and drones caused minor injuries to workers at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery. Kuwaiti air defence systems reportedly intercepted several incoming projectiles, helping prevent further casualties.

The incident highlights the risks of airspace misidentification in a region where multiple allied and hostile forces are operating simultaneously. Analysts warn that such events could escalate tensions further, particularly as Iran continues targeting U.S. and allied military assets in the Gulf.

The ongoing conflict has prompted heightened security measures across Gulf states, including embassy alerts and travel advisories, as concerns grow over the potential for a broader regional confrontation.

Several U.S. Warplanes Crash in Kuwait Amid Ongoing Iranian Strikes

International

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 31 in Lebanon as Hezbollah Loses Senior Figures

Published

23 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 31 in Lebanon as Hezbollah Loses Senior Figures

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 31 people in Lebanon, following renewed cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese health authorities have confirmed.

The overnight Israeli raids targeted southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, areas regarded as strongholds of Hezbollah. The Lebanon Ministry of Public Health said more than 100 people were injured, adding that the death toll could rise as several victims remain in critical condition.

Israel’s military said the attacks were aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure and senior operatives. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the strikes as a response to recent rocket and drone fire from Lebanese territory into northern Israel, which Israeli officials said posed a direct threat to civilian communities.

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Lebanese security sources reported that several senior Hezbollah figures were among those killed, though the group has not released an official list of casualties or confirmed the identities of the alleged commanders. Hezbollah has acknowledged losses but has so far withheld operational details.

Residents in Beirut’s southern districts reported multiple explosions before dawn, with thick plumes of smoke rising over residential and commercial areas. In towns close to the Israel–Lebanon border, emergency workers searched through rubble, while ambulances rushed the wounded to hospitals already under severe strain.

The latest escalation follows days of rising tension along the Israel–Lebanon frontier, marked by near-daily exchanges of fire. Hezbollah has said its cross-border attacks are retaliation for Israeli military actions elsewhere in the region, while Israel has warned it will not tolerate sustained threats to its northern border.

Security analysts warn the latest violence risks dragging Lebanon deeper into a widening regional confrontation, at a time when the country is battling economic crisis, political instability, and overstretched public services.

Despite intensifying international calls for restraint, both sides have placed security forces on heightened alert. With senior figures reportedly killed and retaliatory rhetoric hardening, fears are growing that the conflict could escalate further in the coming days.

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 31 in Lebanon as Hezbollah Loses Senior Figures

International

Iran Retaliates: Gulf States Allied With US Hit by Missiles, Drones

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Retaliates: Gulf States Allied With US Hit by Missiles, Drones

Iran Retaliates: Gulf States Allied With US Hit by Missiles and Drones

Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia – Gulf nations allied with the United States have borne the brunt of Iranian missile and drone attacks in a dramatic escalation following US‑Israeli strikes on Iranian territory. The offensive, launched by Iran over the weekend, has targeted both military and civilian infrastructure, causing casualties, property damage, and widespread concern across the region.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, its air defences intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 541 drones aimed at the Emirates, preventing larger-scale devastation. However, debris from interceptions has still caused property damage and civilian injuries, with at least three deaths confirmed. Airports and commercial areas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai faced temporary closures as emergency measures were implemented.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have also reported missile and drone strikes, with UAE‑style interception efforts mitigating some of the damage. Civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, airports, and commercial facilities, sustained damage from falling debris. Local authorities confirmed that dozens of people were injured, some critically.

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The attacks follow Iran’s warning that it would retaliate against any US and Israeli military action. Iranian officials have denied targeting neighboring states directly, insisting that strikes are aimed at US forces and allies in the region. Nevertheless, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries condemned the attacks, describing them as violations of sovereignty and international law. They have coordinated with the United States to bolster defensive measures and prevent further civilian harm.

In Saudi Arabia, missiles were intercepted over Riyadh and the Eastern Province, prompting an official statement condemning the attacks as “blatant and cowardly.” Oman, traditionally neutral and mediating in nuclear talks, also experienced limited drone strikes on its commercial port at Duqm.

Regional and global responses have been swift. The United States and Israel continue their operations to degrade Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, while Gulf states brace for potential further escalation. Experts warn that continued attacks could destabilize energy markets, especially through key corridors like the Strait of Hormuz, and exacerbate political tensions in the region.

The ongoing crisis highlights the risks faced by Gulf allies of the US, who are now directly exposed to Iran’s military retaliation. Observers caution that while air defences have mitigated a large-scale catastrophe, prolonged conflict could have severe humanitarian, economic, and security consequences.