Moscow attackers were arrested while trying to flee to Ukraine: Putin

NEW DELHI: Four suspected perpetrators of the deadly attack near Moscow on Friday that killed over 115 people, were heading towards Russia's border with Ukraine when they were apprehended early on Saturday, and had contacts on the Ukrainian side, said Interfax quoting the FSB security service.

Moscow Concert Hall Shooting Live Updates

Russian President Vladimir Putin Putin called the attack on the Moscow concert hall a 'barbaric terrorist act' and said all involved would be severely punished.

While declaring March 24 as a day of mourning, Putin also asserted that the attackers were arrested while trying to flee to Ukraine.


In a televised address to the nation, Putin said: "I am speaking to you today in connection with the bloody, barbaric terrorist act, the victims of which were dozens of innocent, peaceful people. ... I declare 24 March a day of national mourning."

"All four perpetrators of the terrorist act who shot and killed people have been detained. They were travelling towards Ukraine ... We will identify and punish everybody who stood behind the terrorists, who prepared the attack," said Putin.



Militant Islamist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for Friday's attack but there were indications that Russia was pursuing a Ukrainian link, despite emphatic denials from Ukrainian officials that Kyiv had anything to do with it.


The FSB security service said "all four terrorists" had been arrested while heading to the Ukrainian border, and that they had contacts in Ukraine. It said they were being transferred to Moscow.
(With inputs from agencies)