The Kremlin on Monday declined to comment on Da’ish’s claims that it was behind Russia’s deadliest attack in two decades, as rescuers searched for bodies amid the rubble of a burned-out Moscow concert hall.
At least 137 people were killed when masked gunmen stormed Crocus City Hall, shooting onlookers before setting the building on fire in Europe’s deadliest attack claimed by Da’ish.
The group has claimed several times since Friday to have carried out the attack, and Da’ish-affiliated media outlets have released videos of gunmen inside shooting concert-goers.
However, in his only public comments on the massacre on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at a possible connection to Ukraine, and no senior Russian official has commented on Daesh’s claims.
Officials expect the death toll to rise as rescuers continue to search for remains.
“The investigation is still ongoing. No coherent version has been heard yet,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday when asked why Russia had not addressed Daesh’s alleged involvement.
“We are only talking about preliminary data. No version has been presented yet,” he added.
Officials expect the death toll to rise as rescuers searched the scene Monday for remains and 97 are still in hospital.
Putin does not plan to visit the site of the attack on the northwestern outskirts of Moscow, Peskov said.
