What's happened
Gunmen in combat fatigues attacked a concert hall near Moscow, killing and injuring multiple people. The assailants opened fire and caused a massive blaze, leading to chaos and tragedy.
Why it matters
The attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow is a significant and tragic event, marking one of the worst terror attacks in Russia in years. The impact of this attack will be felt not only in Russia but also globally, raising concerns about security and terrorism.
What the papers say
The Guardian reported that up to five gunmen were involved in the attack, while The Independent highlighted the lack of immediate claims of responsibility. Sky News mentioned the evacuation of around 100 people from the concert hall basement, and The Moscow Times described the chaos and injuries caused by the armed men.
How we got here
The attack occurred days after President Vladimir Putin's electoral victory, amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The concert hall was hosting a performance by a Russian rock band when the gunmen burst in, firing at the crowd and starting a fire.
Common question
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Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. The megacity stands on the Moskva River in the central portion of Western Russia, with a population estimated at 12.6 million residents within the city limits, while over 17 million residents in the urban
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Andrey Yuryevich Vorobyov is the current governor of Moscow Oblast. He has previously served as the head of United Russia's Central Executive Committee, and one of the deputy chairmen of the State Duma.
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The Crocus City Hall is a music venue administratively located in Krasnogorsk Urban Settlement in the Krasnogorsky District. The venue was opened by the businessman Aras Agalarov on 25 October 2009 and named after the singer Muslim Magomayev.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.