From the first minutes after news of the horrific terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall complex broke, numerous calls, letters, notes, and official messages began to arrive from heads of state and government, heads of foreign countries’ government agencies, international organisations, NGOs, religious associations and concerned citizens. Statements have been released by presidents, ministers, parliamentarians and public figures from various foreign countries.
These statements express profound condolences to the families and friends of the victims and survivors, words of support and solidarity with the Russian people, and a categorical rejection of this terrible crime. Spontaneous memorials are appearing in front of Russian diplomatic missions abroad, where people are bringing flowers and candles.
At Russia's initiative, the UN Security Council adopted a statement strongly condemning the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack in the Moscow Region. The UN Secretary-General also condemned the terrorist attack "in the strongest possible terms" and expressed his condolences to the people and Government of Russia. In telephone conversations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the foreign ministers Azerbaijan, Hungary, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mali and Türkiye expressed their condolences.
Russia has first-hand knowledge of terrorism. Our country faced its manifestations in the most inhuman forms in the 1990s and early 2000s, when it was fighting a terrorist insurgency in the North Caucasus, and hundreds of innocent Russians lost their lives. In September 2001, Russia was the first to respond to the pain of the American people following the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and assisted the international coalition in the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan. Since 2015, at the request of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, Russia has been participating in the fight against terrorist groups in that Middle Eastern country.
Over the past few years, the Kiev regime has been carrying out active and systematic terrorist attacks against Russian citizens: systematic shelling of residential neighbourhoods, including kindergartens, schools and medical institutions, attacks on critical civilian infrastructure, including transport and energy facilities, and assassination attempts against public figures and journalists.
Our country supports all efforts aimed at countering international terrorism and condemns it in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of where terrorist attacks may be committed. Deliberate killing of civilians for any purpose is unacceptable. The fight against this evil must remain the focus of all healthy forces within the international community.
Russian security services and law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident. The perpetrators, organisers and masterminds will be brought to justice, and appropriate legal and political assessments will be provided.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who did not remain indifferent to this tragedy.
