Georgian Government Condemns Terrorist Attack in Moscow and Extends Condolences to Russian People

"The Government of Georgia condemns the horrific terrorist act that took place in Moscow, resulting in the deaths of dozens of innocent people. We offer our condolences to the Russian people and to the families of the deceased. We wish the injured a speedy recovery," the government administration said in a statement.

On Friday, March 22, in the evening hours, at one of the largest concert halls in Moscow, Crocus City Hall, where thousands of people had gathered to attend a concert by the band Picnic, unknown individuals broke in and opened fire. According to eyewitnesses, the shooting from an automatic weapon began a few minutes before the concert's start, at the hall's entrance, in the queue of people, and continued inside the hall.

The Russian Investigative Committee said that more than 60 people died as a result of the terrorist attack, including children. The committee stated that the number of victims may increase. At least 140 people were injured.

After the shooting, a grenade or incendiary bomb was allegedly thrown into the building, causing a fire. The fire spread to approximately 12,000 square meters, and the building was almost completely burned.

The investigative committee initiated a criminal case under the article of a terrorist act.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, stated that if the attackers were found to be "terrorists of the Kyiv regime," then they should be "mercilessly destroyed as terrorists."

Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia for more than two years, has denied any connection to the attack. Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the President's office, stated that Ukraine has never resorted to terrorist methods.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine categorically denied the accusations made by representatives of the Russian government.

"We believe that such accusations are a planned provocation by the Kremlin, aimed at deepening anti-Ukrainian hysteria within Russian society, creating conditions for involvement in criminal aggression against our state, enhancing the mobilization of Russian citizens, and discrediting Ukraine in the eyes of the international community. There are no red lines for Putin's dictatorship. He is ready to kill his own citizens for political purposes," stated the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.