Putin vows to punish those behind Russia concert massacre

Militant Islamist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for Friday's rampage, 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.

Neither Mr Putin nor the FSB publicly presented any proof of a link with Ukraine, with which Russia has been waging war since Moscow invaded 25 months ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it was typical of Mr Putin and"other thugs" to seek to divert blame. A senior Russian politician, Andrei Kartapolov, said that if Ukraine was involved, then Russia must deliver a"worthy, clear and concrete" reply on the battlefield.

However Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, said early the US had not shared any specific information with the embassy before the shooting. People fled in panic. Baza, a news outlet with good contacts in Russian security and law enforcement, said 28 bodies were found in a toilet and 14 on a staircase."Many mothers were found embracing their children," it said.

Islamic State said its fighters attacked on the outskirts of Moscow,"killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely".Yesterday, it released a photograph of what it said were the four attackers, as well as what it said was footage of the attack.

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