On Friday, a tragic incident at the Crocus City Hall, a music venue in Moscow, resulted in the death of at least 137 people, with over 145 injured, marking one of Moscow's deadliest attacks in years.
Armed individuals opened fire during an event, leading to immediate investigations by Russian authorities.
The attackers, identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Mukhammadsobir Faizov, and Shamsidin Fariduni, were among those arrested, with 11 people in total detained by Russian officials.
Three have since pleaded guilty in court. The venue, expected to host the Russian band Picnic, was near capacity during the attack.
ISIS-K, the Islamic State Khorasan Province, an
Afghanistan-based segment of the terrorist group, has taken responsibility. This claim was verified by US officials despite Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting possible Ukrainian involvement, an accusation denied by both Ukrainian and US representatives.
Formed in 2015, ISIS-K is known for its opposition to the Taliban and its history of attacks in the region. Its targeting of Russia follows a pattern of animosity due to historical conflicts.
The timing of the attack appears to be more operational than symbolic, with warnings from the US about potential threats dismissed by Putin prior to the event.
This incident raises concerns about security in the region and the motivations behind targeting Russian venues, spotlighting ISIS-K's long-standing focus on Russia.