Over 130 dead
Attack in Moscow: Weapons and ammunition found
Eleven suspects have now been arrested following the terrorist attack on an event center in Moscow. The number of victims has now risen to 133. The background is unclear, even though the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack - but the FSB sees links to the Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin himself has a similar explanation.
After a chase in the Bryansk region, the authorities stopped a car with four occupants. Russian media reported an exchange of gunfire and that the car overturned before coming to a standstill. The FSB domestic intelligence service informed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin accordingly, Russian media report.
All four terrorists involved in the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall - probably the most devastating attack in Russia for 20 years - are among the eleven detainees. Others involved in the attack are being identified. Rumors that the attackers' vehicle was a car with Ukrainian license plates could not be confirmed.
No evidence of contacts in Ukraine
According to the FSB domestic intelligence service, the people apprehended were on their way to the Ukrainian border when they were caught. They had contacts on the Ukrainian side. However, no evidence of a connection to Ukraine, against which Russia has been at war for more than two years, was initially presented.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack a "barbaric terrorist act" and said in a televised address on Saturday that all the attackers had been arrested and had tried to flee to Ukraine.
Video shows the perpetrators' weapons and ammunition
A short video released by Russia's State Investigative Committee early on Saturday morning showed how weapons and ammunition were seized from the building.
A Kalashnikov submachine gun and belts full of magazines could be seen. The investigators collected bags of fired cartridges. Russian authorities said on Saturday morning that 115 people had died and more than 100 were injured.
Current pictures from Moscow:
As reported by "Bild", the Russian rock band Picnic had just prepared on stage for their show at Crocus City Hall on Friday evening - but it never happened.
Video: Large contingent of emergency services on Saturday morning
Shortly before the concert began, the attackers opened fire. Shots could be heard in videos and people could be seen fleeing. Automatic weapons and explosives were used. Blazing flames and a huge cloud of smoke could be seen at the famous building. The roof partially collapsed and all that remains of the building is a skeleton.
By Saturday morning, the victims of the attack had all been taken out of the building. The numerous dead are believed to be both employees and visitors to the concert hall.
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the events "from the very first minute". According to the Interfax agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that he was constantly receiving all important information about the events and the measures taken via the relevant services.
USA and Kiev deny involvement
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry rejected the suspicion of Kiev's involvement. Ukrainian presidential advisor Mychajlo Podolja had also stated shortly after the attack on Friday that Kiev had nothing to do with it. In an initial reaction, the USA also warned against making any connection with Ukraine.
"There is no evidence that Ukraine or Ukrainians had anything to do with the shooting," said the communications director of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, in Washington. Not much can be said about the details yet, but at this early stage he strongly advises against the assumption that there is a connection to Ukraine.
IS: "Large gathering attacked"
In any case, the jihadist militia IS has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group wrote on Telegram that IS fighters had "attacked a large gathering ... on the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow".
Firefighters also battled for hours against a fire in the huge building, which was burning over an area of almost 13,000 square meters. After it was initially reported that the fire was under control, open flames reappeared in the morning.
They were leaping from inside the building and were clearly visible on the roof. The fire department extinguished the fire with water from outside. However, firefighting helicopters, which were initially deployed, had been withdrawn.
Pictures from Friday evening:
"Terrorist attack"
A Kremlin spokesman called the attack a "terrorist attack". According to TASS, special units of the Russian National Guard were deployed. "All necessary measures" are being taken, Interfax quoted the service as saying. Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin addressed the public in a statement published by Russian state media. It speaks of "a terrible tragedy".
USA warned Putin, who sensed "blackmail"
Piquant: Putin dismissed a previous terror warning from the USA on 7 March as blackmail and an "attempt at destabilization". Putin had rejected the warning of an imminent attack by extremists in Moscow as "blatant blackmail" and an attempt to intimidate the West.
"There are many questions that need to be answered ..."
Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, indirectly hinted that the US could even be responsible for the attack. He commented on a screenshot of the US embassy in Russia (see above) in relation to the terrorist attack and said: "There are many questions that need to be answered ..."
Worldwide horror after attack
The search for other attackers is in full swing. It is currently uncertain how many IS attackers are involved. Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and many other heads of state expressed their condolences and regret.
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