Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Moscow attack

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Moscow, AFP reported today. This is shortly after the Ukrainian secret services accused the Kremlin and its secret services of orchestrating tonight’s deadly attack, near Moscow, to blame Ukraine and justify an “escalation” of the war, as AFP also reported.
“The terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian secret services under the orders of (Vladimir) Putin. Its objective is to justify even harsher attacks against Ukraine and total mobilization in Russia”, assured the intelligence services Ukrainian military forces (GUR), adding that the attack “should be understood as a threat from Putin to escalate and prolong the war”.
At least 40 people died and more than 100 were injured this evening in an attack by armed men on a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, according to the first report by Russian security forces (FSB).
“The preliminary number of the terrorist attack on the Crocus complex (…) is currently 40 dead and more than a hundred injured,” said the FSB, cited by Russian agencies.
Russian state agency RIA Novosti reported that at least three men burst into the concert hall and fired automatic weapons.
Several other Russian media reported the shooting and that the place is on fire, while civilians are evacuated and special police units rush to the scene.
Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev promptly warned that Russia will “destroy” the Ukrainian leaders if it is confirmed that they are responsible for the terrorist attack in a concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow, although Kiev has already distanced itself from what happened.
“If it is established that they are terrorists of the Kiev regime… they must all be found and mercilessly destroyed as terrorists. Including the leaders of the State who committed such an atrocity,” Medvedev, also number two on the National Security Council and Known for his radical statements.