Ukraine war in the live ticker: +++ 06:01 Moscow makes unclear statements about the “fate of the terrorists” +++

March 23, 2024

Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 06:01 Moscow makes unclear statements about the “fate of the terrorists” +++

Russian state news agency Ria quoted a spokesman for the Investigative Committee as saying it was too early to say anything about the fate of the terrorists who killed more than 60 people at a concert near Moscow. The IS statement said the attackers had “safely retreated to their bases.” It is still unclear how many terrorists broke into the building. In some videos there appear to be four, in others two shooters can be seen.

+++ 05:31 New Russian attacks: 15 explosions in Kharkiv +++
During the night there is another air alert in some parts of Ukraine because Russian combat drones are flying in. Further rocket hits were reported from Kharkiv shortly after midnight. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reports on Telegram of 15 explosions. “There are problems with the power supply in the city – the enemy is targeting the energy structure.” There are fires in several places after the impacts.

+++ 04:37 Weapons and ammunition found in the concert hall +++
After the terrorist attack on an event center in Moscow, investigators seized weapons and ammunition from the building. This was shown in a short video released by Russia’s State Investigative Committee early this morning. On display were a Kalashnikov submachine gun and belts full of magazines. The investigators collected bags of spent cartridges. The victims of the attack were all taken out of the building by morning, reports the Russian state news agency Tass. Firefighters battled a fire for hours in the huge building, which burned in almost 13,000 square meters. After it was initially said that the fire was under control, open flames appeared again in the morning, as Tass reports. They come from inside the building and are clearly visible on the roof.

+++ 03:35 Russian oil refinery in Samara burns +++
According to media reports, a fire broke out in an oil refinery in the Russian Samara region after a drone crashed. There are no injuries and firefighters are on site, reports the state news agency Ria, citing emergency services.

+++ 03:10 Moscow reacts irritably to US presumption of innocence for Kiev +++
The Russian Foreign Ministry criticizes the fact that the USA quickly exonerated Ukraine as the possible mastermind of the attack on the Moscow concert hall. It raises questions if the US were to draw such conclusions while the tragedy was still unfolding. This is what the ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Russian television this evening. “If the United States or any other country has reliable facts, they should provide them to the Russian side.” If there were no such facts, neither the White House nor anyone else would have the right to give advance absolution, Zakharova said.

+++ 02:17 Ukraine without anti-aircraft defense: Zelensky complains about lack of political will +++
After the heavy Russian air strikes on energy facilities across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky complained that foreign partners were not supplying enough anti-aircraft weapons. Real and complete protection against Russian missiles and drones is only possible “if our partners have sufficient will,” said Zelensky in his video message in the evening. “Russian terror is only possible because we don’t have enough modern air defense systems, which means, to be honest, there is a lack of political will to provide them.” All other states would know what was necessary. Zelensky reports that work is underway in all affected regions to restore the disrupted energy supply

+++ 01:11 US secret services support IS perpetrators +++
The United States has warned Russia in recent weeks about the possibility of an attack, according to a U.S. official. “We warned the Russians accordingly,” says the insider, who wished to remain anonymous. The US also has intelligence information that confirms the Islamic State’s claim that it was responsible for the fatal shooting at a concert near Moscow.

+++ 00:44 Moscow: Number of deaths rises to 62 +++
News outlet Basa reports the death toll from the attack has risen to 62. Initially there was talk of at least 40 deaths. According to the Russian Health Minister, 60 of the 145 injured are in serious condition.

+++ 00:10 After the attack: US Embassy in Moscow warns citizens +++
After the suspected terrorist attack near Moscow, the US embassy in the Russian capital has issued a warning for American citizens. Americans should avoid the area around the Crocus City Hall event center and follow the instructions of local authorities, the statement said. The US government can only help American citizens in Russia to a very limited extent. The US State Department currently has a level 4 travel warning (“Do not travel”).

+++ 23:40 The number of victims in Moscow is increasing: 145 injured, including eight children +++
After the attack on a Moscow concert hall, the number of injured continues to rise. The Ministry of Health in the Moscow region said 145 people were taken to hospitals that night. There had previously been talk of at least 40 deaths and more than 100 injuries. Because rescue and police operations are still ongoing on site and the building is on fire, the numbers could still rise significantly. It is said that at least eight children were among the injured.

+++ 23:25 Terror expert: IS confession letter is real +++
Terror expert Peter Neumann from King’s College in London believes the letter of responsibility from the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) for the attack near Moscow is genuine. “The confession message ran across all official IS channels. I and my colleagues can confirm this 100%,” writes Neumann on IS message is fake. There is “already a lot of fake news — probably to spin the narrative that Ukraine was responsible for the attack,” writes Neumann.

+++ 22:56 Assassin in Moscow probably escaped +++
According to the RIA news agency, the gunmen responsible for the attack on the concert hall have probably escaped for the time being. At around the same time, a Russian MP announced that the National Guard would be withdrawn from the hall again. They searched the ground floor, first floor and the underground parking garage.

+++ 22:40 IS terrorist militia claims attack in Moscow +++
The terrorist militia Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on the event center near Moscow that left dozens dead and injured. The IS mouthpiece Amak reported this on the Internet in the evening, citing unnamed sources.

+++ 22:18 Speculations wrong – Van in front of the concert hall has Belarusian license plates +++
The speculation about a van parked in front of the concert hall is unfounded (entry 9:27 p.m.). There is quick talk on Russian Telegram channels that the vehicle had old Ukrainian license plates. Many users on social media accuse Russia of a possible false flag operation that is intended to raise suspicion for the terrorist attack on Ukraine. However, X users show that the license plate of the white van come from Belarus and not from Ukraine.

You can read all previous developments here.