Putin says Moscow concert attackers tried to escape to Ukraine ,Kyiv denies involvement

Putin says Moscow concert attackers tried to escape to Ukraine ,Kyiv denies involvement

The death toll from the mass shooting claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group at a concert hall near Moscow on Friday has risen to at least 133, the Russian Investigative Committee said Saturday. President Vladimir Putin said authorities had detained 11 people, including four who took part in the attack, suggesting they had been trying to cross the border into Ukraine.

The death toll from the armed attack on Friday evening that took place at the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow has risen to at least 133, with more than 100 people injured, in the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege.

In an address to the nation on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said authorities had detained 11 people, including four who took part in the attack. He also suggested they had been trying to cross the border into Ukraine.

Kyiv has emphatically denied any involvement in the attack.

Investigators said the assailants opened fire on security guards at the entrance to the cultural complex, then on the audience gathered inside the concert hall, while also setting fire to the building with a “flammable liquid”.

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the attack and posted a photograph of the four alleged assailants.

Source : France 24