Moscow terror attacks: India, world express solidarity with Russia

India has promptly rallied in support of Russia and expressed solidarity with its all-weather strategic partner in the wake of the deadly terror attack at a concert hall in Moscow that killed more than 130 people.

Russia faced deadly terror attacks on March 22 as several gunmen opened fire at a big concert crowd in Moscow’s Crocus City Hall. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for these attacks. The death toll is mounting by the hour as the world joined to condemn these horrific attacks.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned these attacks and expressed solidarity with Russia in this tragic moment. “India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief,” said PM Modi.

The assailants were armed with automatic weapons and several explosives. Reports suggest that the US intelligence had inputs on the possibility of such an attack, which were dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin when shared on March 7.

World leaders have come forward to denounce these attacks. “The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack at a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, the Russian Federation, on 22 March 2024,” said the United Nations Security Council.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

US White House Spokesperson John Kirby said, “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch, and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack.” Many other leaders from the Western bloc came forward as well and voiced their strong condemnation of these terrorist attacks. Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said “The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable. Firm and total condemnation of the Italian government for this heinous act of terrorism.”

The leaders have also called for urgent investigation into these attacks. “The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims,” said the German Foreign Ministry.

Said Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil: “We send out condolences to the families of the victims and we stand in solidarity with the Russian government.” Leaders from Cuba, France, Spain, Japan, Israel, Malaysia, and the EU shared the sentiment and expressed their shock and grief.

The Ukrainian side quickly distanced itself from the attacks amidst the ongoing war with Russia. Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukrainian President Advisor, said, “Let’s be straight about this, Ukraine had absolutely nothing to do with these events.”

“We have a full-scale, all-out war with the Russian regular army and with the Russian Federation as a country. And regardless of everything, everything will be decided on the battlefield,” he added.

The Ukrainian defence ministry has claimed that the terrorist attacks were “planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on Putin’s orders,” to further “escalate and expand the war.”

Russia is said to have arrested 11 people so far, including 4 terrorists behind these attacks. The Russian side has claimed that the perpetrators had “contacts” in Ukraine. The Security Services said, “After committing the terrorist attack, the criminals intended to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border, and had appropriate contacts on the Ukrainian side.”

The US disabused claims over alleged Ukrainian involvement in the attacks. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry took to X and said, “The White House said it sees no indication that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the terrorist attack in Moscow. On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of the tragedy about anyone’s involvement? If the United States has or had reliable information on this matter, it must be immediately handed over to the Russian side.”

“And if there is no such data, then the White House has no right to issue indulgences to anyone. All those involved, according to the Russian leadership, will be identified by the competent authorities,” they added.

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