At least 60 people have been killed and 145 injured after gunmen opened fire on concertgoers near Moscow and set off explosives that started a massive blaze in one of the deadliest attacks in Russia in decades.
Russia is investigating who was behind the raid on the Crocus City Hall, which took place just as a capacity crowd was taking its seats for a concert by veteran rock band Picnic.
Hardline group ISIL (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was condemned by leaders from around the world.
Here is what some of them have been saying:
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned “in the strongest possible terms today’s terrorist attack at a concert hall outside Moscow, in which at least 40 people were reportedly killed and over 100 others injured”, spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement, before authorities announced the death toll had risen.
Guterres “conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation”, he added.
The UN Security Council also 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.
“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”
Ukraine
Ukraine had “nothing to do” with the attack, presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Telegram.
The main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian defence ministry said “the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on Putin’s orders”, alleging that the aim was to “further escalate and expand the war” with Ukraine.
China
President Xi Jinping sent his “condolences” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.
Xi “stressed that China opposes all form of terrorism, strongly condemns the terrorist attack and firmly supports the Russian government’s efforts to safeguard its national security and stability”.
United States
White House spokesman 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.”
European Union
The European Union said it was “shocked and appalled” by the attack.
“The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected,” said an EU spokesman.
Afghanistan
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the Taliban administration condemned the attack in the “strongest terms”. Kabul considers it “a blatant violation of all human standards”.
Cuba
President Miguel Diaz-Canel said: “Cuba condemns the atrocious terrorist act that occurred in Moscow. Our sincerest condolences to the government and people of Russia.”
France
President Emmanuel Macron said he “strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State”, in a statement released by the Elysee Palace.
“France expresses its solidarity with the victims, their loved ones and all the Russian people,” it said.
The foreign ministry said, “The images coming out of Moscow are terrible,” and added that “light must be shed on these odious acts”.
Germany
“The images of the horrific attack on innocent people at Crocus City Hall near Moscow are horrific,” Germany’s foreign ministry said. “The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims.”
India
“We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief.”
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she said was an “odious act of terrorism”.
“The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable,” Meloni said, expressing her “full solidarity with the affected people and the victims’ families”.
Japan
Japan’s foreign ministry said it “strongly” condemned the attack. “Japan extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured.”
Venezuela
“We express our strongest condemnation of the armed attack that has been carried out against civilians today in Moscow in the exhibition centre Crocus City Hall,” foreign minister Yvan Gil said.
“We send out condolences to the families of the victims and we stand in solidarity with the Russian government.”
Israel
“Saddened by tonight’s tragic events in Moscow. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and to all those affected,” foreign minister Israel Katz posted on X.
Palestinian Authority
The presidency of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack and “affirmed its solidarity and support for the Russian leadership and the friendly people of Russia, emphasising its keenness on stability in the friendly Russian Federation,” according to the official Wafa news agency.
ظهرت في الأصل على www.aljazeera.com