The Kremlin has claimed Isis terrorists involved in last night’s horrific attack on a concert hall had “relevant contacts” in Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to "punish" anyone standing behind the plot.
As many as 143 people were killed at a large gathering on the outskirts of Moscow in Krasnogorsk, Russian security officials have claimed.
More than 140 attendees also sustained injuries and the Kremlin confirmed it arrested 11 assailants, including four suspected gunmen.
Explosions at the concert hall created further problems as emergency services rushed to evacuate people from the venue.
Vladimir Putin is accusing Ukraine of helping Isis' attack on Russia soil
REUTERS
Despite Isis claiming responsibility, Russian officials have raised concerns about Ukraine’s involvement in the attack.
Russia’s Investigative Committee claimed the jihadists were intercepted en route to the Ukrainian border.
It said: “Special services and law enforcement agencies in the Bryansk region, near the border with Ukraine, detained four suspects from among those who committed a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall concert hall.”
Speaking today, Putin claimed: "The four attackers were arrested moving towards Ukraine, and we have intelligence showing they were about to be received on the territory of Ukraine."
The Russian President added: "To reiterate, we will identify and punish everyone who stands behind the terrorists, who prepared this atrocity, this attack on Russia, on our people."
Putin also confirmed tomorrow would become a national day of mourning.
Ahead of the 71-year-old's address, Russia's Federal Security Service claimed: “After the terrorist attack, the criminals intended to cross the border of the Russian Federation and Ukraine and had relevant contacts on the Ukrainian side.”
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Explosions were also heard at the concert hall
REUTERS
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added: “Now we know in which country these bloody b******s planned to hide from persecution - Ukraine.”
However, Isis last night claimed responsibility for the attack and claimed audience members were Christian.
A source told Amaq News Agency: “Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”
Kyiv distanced itself from the incident immediately after reports came in yesterday evening.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed tomorrow will become a national day of mourning
REUTERS
Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, claimed Kyiv was not behind the attack.
"Let's be clear, Ukraine absolutely has nothing to do with these events," he said.
Podolyak added: “The versions of Russian special services regarding Ukraine are absolutely untenable and absurd.”
The Kremlin was also warned by the UK and US about the increased threat of terrorist attacks on Russian soil.
Moscow foiled a plot to attack a synagogue in the Russian capital and separately claimed it killed six jihadist operatives in the North Caucasus region.
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