Terror attack: Putin fingers Ukraine, vows punishment

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has vowed that all perpetrators of the deadly attack at Crocus City Hall in northern Krasnogorsk, Moscow, where more than 100 people were killed on Friday evening will be punished.

Putin said this during his address to Russians on the concert hall attack, where about 140 people were critically injured.

While the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the assault, the Russian leader said the attackers were captured trying to cross the border to Ukraine.

“I am addressing you in connection with the bloody, barbaric terrorist act, the victims of which were dozens of peaceful, innocent people - our compatriots, including children, teenagers and women,” he said.

Putin, who just won the recent presidential election to spend another six years in office, lauded the medical practitioners, special forces and citizens for helping at this time.

He said “Doctors are now fighting for the lives of the victims, those who are in serious condition. I am sure they will do everything possible and even impossible to save the lives and health of all the wounded.

“Special thanks to the ambulance and air ambulance crews, special forces of soldiers, firefighters, rescuers who did everything to save people’s lives, get them out from under fire, from the epicenter of fire and smoke and avoid even greater losses.

“I cannot ignore the help of ordinary citizens, who in the first minutes after the tragedy, did not remain indifferent, and along with doctors and special services, provided first aid and took the victims to hospitals.

“I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. The whole country and our entire people are grieving with you. I declare March 24 a day of national mourning.”

Putin also said Kremlin was working out measures to prevent further attacks.