Russia detains 45 over Crocus City Hall attack — Shoigu

Russian security services have detained 45 individuals in connection with the March 2024 terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, according to Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu.

Shoigu told TASS that the attack was organized with the involvement of Ukraine’s military intelligence and international terrorist groups.

“Ukrainian military intelligence actively uses migrants and extremists to carry out high-profile attacks, including the Crocus incident. All those detained received support in training and equipment,” Shoigu said.

He noted that more than 200 terrorist acts were prevented in 2024, including 14 plots targeting schools and public places. In 2023, over 1,800 people were arrested for terrorism-related offenses, and 42 militants were killed while resisting arrest.

Authorities also blocked over 230 million rubles in suspicious accounts and removed 120,000 items of extremist content from the internet.

Shoigu warned that terrorist threats remain, with efforts to form cells in the North Caucasus and alleged use of extremists by Western countries to pressure Russia in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Africa.

The Crocus City Hall attack occurred on March 22, 2024, ahead of a concert by the band Piknik. Gunmen opened fire on the audience and set the venue ablaze. The assault left 145 people dead and over 500 injured. The perpetrators were captured near the Ukrainian border. The Islamic State (designated a terrorist group in Russia) claimed responsibility, but Russian authorities have linked the attack to Ukrainian intelligence. Kyiv has denied any involvement.

Earlier reports suggested Red Square may have been the attackers’ original target.