CIS

Home page

CIS

"After all, there was a warning" - REPORTAGE from terror-hit Crocus City Hall music venue

23 March 2024 05:04 (UTC +04:00)

The 65-66th kilometer of the Moscow ring road, one of the most famous places of the Russian capital, Crocus City Hall music venue, was subjected to a terrorist attack.

This place is a city consisting of shopping and entertainment centers, concert halls and exhibition complexes.

This town, which is visited by tens of thousands of people during the day, was subjected to a terrorist attack on March 22 at around 20:15 Moscow time.

It is no coincidence that the address was chosen for the purpose of committing terrorism. So, although I mentioned that Crocus City Hall music venue is geographically located in the city of Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, it is considered to be an area close to the capital Moscow. Also, modern concert halls, exhibition complexes and shopping centers located here are considered larger and more modern than the corresponding facilities located in the city center.

At the same time, the features that I have listed cause constant traffic jams around the place. That is why it took a long time for fire engines and ambulances to arrive at the scene after a terrorist attack. Information was spread that even power structures and police forces arrived late at the scene.

As soon as information about the incident spread, we immediately went to "Crocus". The navigator showed an 8-point traffic jam in a radius of 3 kilometers to the area where the terrorist attack took place. Because the traffic police and cars of special services blocked the Moscow Ring Road.

The road to "Crocus City" was completely surrounded by police and other power structures. In the area where the terrorist act took place, only fire brigades and ambulance crews, as well as law enforcement officers and investigators were working. "Myakinino" metro station, which leads to "Crocus" town, was also closed for the entry and exit of passengers for security reasons. That's why it was impossible to go to the area where the terror took place by subway. But you could go to the scene by private car or taxi.

When we arrived at the scene, shots were still heard in Crocus City Hall. Local telegram channels reported that the terrorists had set up barricades inside, and that the Russian Guard and the special police "SOBR" were conducting an operation against them.

However, this information was not confirmed later. It was not possible to get information from anyone at the scene. The police and other power structures immediately removed outsiders from the scene.

There was panic among the people from the special horn of the police and ambulance vehicles, as well as the sound of dozens of helicopters flying in the air.

People driving along the Moscow Ring Road pulled their cars over to the side of the road and observed the Crocus City Hall burning in flames.

During the observation, I repeatedly witnessed people whispering to each other, "After all, the American Embassy warned."

Yes, at the beginning of March, the US and UK Embassies urged their citizens in Russia to refrain from going to mass concert halls and warned about the threat of terrorism. The warning was also posted on the website of the embassies.

However, the official Moscow announced that this warning was made to frighten the eyes of the Russians.

The Russian Investigative Committee has already opened a criminal case under the article of terrorist act regarding the incident. Although information was spread in the press that terrorism was carried out by ISIS, it was later reported that this information was not confirmed.

Russian officials indicated Ukraine as a target from the first minutes. Pro-government telegram channels even spread information about the discovery of a minibus with a Ukrainian license plate in the parking lot of "Crocus City" near the area where the terrorist attack took place. According to unconfirmed information, the terrorists drove away from the scene in a "Reault" car. At present, it has been announced that the plan of operational search measures is being implemented by law enforcement agencies.

Although local telegram channels announced that the death toll was more than 100, the Russian Federal Security Service confirmed that the death toll was 40. But Russian officials have said they estimate the death toll to be much higher.

Due to the terrorist attack in Moscow, all mass and entertainment events on Saturday-Sunday have been postponed. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the people.