This Is Not ISIS - Rossiya Segodnya Editor-in-Chief on Moscow Concert Hall Attack

©Sputnik / Евгений Биятов / Editor-in-chief of RT and "Russia Today" Margarita Simonyan at the plenary session "The struggle for digital sovereignty. How to maintain a single information space?" within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum - 2021 at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Center. / Go to the mediabank

Ukraine and the West have resorted to false flag operations to persuade everyone that ISIS* was behind the terror attack in the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, said Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik's parent media group Rossiya Segodnya.

The head of the media group stressed that the names and faces of the perpetrators are already known to authorities and that the terrorists gave everything away during interrogation.

“It immediately became obvious why US media were claiming in unison that it was ISIS," she said.

Simonyan explained that the perpetrators were chosen to carry out the attack in a manner that would allow the West to persuade the international community that ISIS was behind the attack.

“Basic sleight of hand. The level of a railway thimble-rigger," she added." It has nothing to do with ISIS. It's Ukrainians."

She added that the enthusiasm displayed by Western media when they tried to persuade everyone that ISIS was responsible even before arrests were made gave them away completely.

“This is not ISIS. This is a well-coordinated team of several other, also widely known, abbreviations," Simonyan concluded.

The shooting occurred on Friday evening in the Crocus City Hall concert venue just outside Moscow and was followed by a massive fire, claiming at least 143 lives.

In the hours following the attack, Western media insisted that radical jihadist organization ISIS was behind it, while Ukrainian officials also said that they had nothing to do with the tragedy.

However, suspects were detained in Russia's Bryansk region near Ukrainian border. According to the data provided by law enforcing agencies, they had a support base on the other side of the border.

Moreover, while Kiev rushed to deny its involvement into the shooting, Ukrainian secret services have a long track record of terror attacks on Russian territory, from shelling in the Belgorod region to assassinations of political scientist Daria Dugina and journalist Vladlen Tatarsky.

Scott Ritter: Terrorist Attack in Moscow Does Not Look Like ISIS' Handiwork

Over 100 civilians were killed after a group of armed terrorists stormed a concert and started indiscriminately shooting at the audience. The perpetrators have since been apprehended by Russian authorities and an investigation has been launched to uncover the truth behind this tragedy.

Washington’s attempts to pin the blame for the March 22 terrorist attack in Moscow on ISIS* appears suspect due to the perpetrators’ behavior, former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter told Sputnik.

Pointing out the fact that the terrorists were apprehended while fleeing towards Ukraine, Ritter remarked how “people of violence” have a tendency to “navigate towards their ‘true north’” at the end of the day.

“What I mean by that is, let's take a special forces team operating behind enemy lines: if they're compromised, they try to go home, they try to escape and evade towards the friendly lines,” he explained. “ISIS has loyalty to their perverted version of religion, God. Their ‘true north’ is to become martyrs, to navigate home to heaven.”

“But that's not what these terrorists did,” he continued. “Their true north was Ukraine, and they were navigating toward Ukraine. And that's all we need to know about this. This was an attack that was linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Who was behind this attack? Who are the masterminds? The Russian security services will find out. But whoever they are, they reside in Ukraine.”

*ISIS (also known as Daesh/ISIL/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.

In the Footsteps of Soviet 'Lady Death': Decorated Female Sniper Hits Frontline Bull's Eye

©Photo : Chernika

A sniper who goes by the code name Chernika (meaning 'Blueberry') was awarded Russia's 'For Courage' medal for her role in repelling the Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer. What may come as a surprise to some is that this war hero is a girl.

Chernika witnessed the initial days of Russia's special military operation as a civilian, which triggered her passion about enlisting.

"I've been interested in military service since my childhood. I went to military training classes at school. There we learned to take apart a machine gun and do some other things. That is, I have always been drawn to this, and when the opportunity arose I decided to enlist. My friends recommended a wonderful military unit to me. I went to the interview, listened to the commanders, and I really liked everything. And so, after the interview, I joined my squad," she revealed.

Why Chernika? Which means Blueberry in Russian. "I have no idea where it came from," the young girl responded when asked about her nom de guerre. "It just stuck with me," she claims.

Perhaps, it's because Chernika loves eating mulberries straight off the tree. She often indulges in this treat during the summer, leaving her hands stained dark violet. Chernika mentioned that removing this pigment is quite challenging, joking that her nickname may have stemmed from her love of these berries.

Female sniper callsign Chernika in the zone of the special military operation
©Photo : Chernika

Chernika's was inspired to become a sniper by the story of World War II heroine Lyudmila Pavlichenko, recognized as the most successful female sniper in history, with a total of 309 confirmed kills.

"When I was just starting to study what the military profession is, my role model was Lyudmila Pavlichenko, our Soviet sniper," said the female sharpshooter.

Pavlichenko fought on the front lines during the Siege of Odessa and Sevastopol against Hitler's Nazi forces, and was nicknamed "Lady Death" by the enemy.

In 1942, Pavlichenko traveled to the US as part of the Soviet delegation to muster up support for the opening of a second front in Europe. "Gentlemen, I am 25 years old and I have killed 309 fascist occupants by now. Don’t you think that you have been hiding behind my back for too long?" the female sniper asked the crowd while delivering a speech in Chicago.

Like Pavlichenko, Chernika is trying to learn more and continuously polishes up her skills. Her weapon of choice is the Lobaev Arms DVL-10 "Urbana".

"I have a Lobaev Urbana rifle in 308 [Win] caliber. Roughly speaking, it’s like our [7.62mm Dragunov] SVD sniper rifle. The range is approximately the same - 800-900 meters. I'm fully satisfied with it. Some guys who have different caliber rifles have some shortcomings in their weapons, as they say. But my rifle has never let me down throughout my entire service," Chernika emphasized.

"I have a Lobaev Urbana rifle in 308 [Win] caliber. Roughly speaking, it’s like our [7.62mm Dragunov] SVD sniper rifle. The range is approximately the same - 800-900 meters. I'm fully satisfied with it. Some guys who have different caliber rifles have some shortcomings in their weapons, as they say. But my rifle has never let me down throughout my entire service," Chernika emphasized.

When asked whether it's hard for a girl to serve in a military squad, she answered in earnest that it's equally hard for both men and women. And no, her commander never makes allowances for her.

"It seems to me that we have a unit that even guys find it not so easy to serve in," the female sniper admitted.

"Sometimes guys, seemingly healthy athletes, leave the service because they are strained mentally or physically. However, our commander is very wise in this regard. If they were to make exceptions for me now, it could potentially hinder me when I am on a mission. If I receive special treatment now, there will be no one to assist me when I am on the front line. It doesn't matter whether I am a boy, girl, or my age at that point. Everyone needs to have the same level of confidence that my fellow soldiers can depend on me, just as I can depend on them," she explained.

Both men and women are scared when a battle breaks out, she added. "Is it scary? It's scary for everyone, guys and girls alike. You can’t just waltz in, get caught under mortar fire, and then stroll out as if nothing had happened," the female sniper said.

Chernika was the first girl to be awarded the "For Courage" medal for repelling the Ukrainian counteroffensive attempt last summer. Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseev, the first deputy chief of the Main Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, personally presented her with the award.

"I actually had mixed emotions," she confessed when asked about the ceremony. "I don’t even know what they can be compared to. It was, first of all, unexpected for me, and, secondly, very exciting."

"Unfortunately, I am unable to reveal all the details right now for what I was awarded and how, because the special military operation is still in progress, and the fighting continues. [Disclosing] the story could have a negative impact on the guys who are currently operating there."

The female sharpshooter is presently focused on fighting until victory, but she shared her thoughts about what she would do when the conflict ends.

"I am very interested in working as a journalist, as a war correspondent," Chernika revealed. "I want to travel to hot spots. Wars are still raging across the world, unfortunately. This is a very interesting profession. And it is very useful. If it weren't for journalists, ordinary civilians would have no idea what is going on here, or what developments are unfolding in the world, how the fascists gun down and slaughter civilians here. Journalism is a very important profession."

UN secretary-general ‘deeply troubled’ by situation in Rafah

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Rafah, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Egypt March 23, 2024. (AN Photo/Nadia Al Faour)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Egypt’s border with the Gazan city of Rafah on Saturday to reiterate pleas for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. 

His visit comes after the UN Security Council’s failure to pass a resolution to halt the Israeli offensive on Gaza, which is now entering its sixth month with a death toll nearing 32,000. 

Speaking at the border, he urged the world to remind Gazans they are not alone.

“I am deeply troubled to know during this holy month of Ramadan that there are those who will not be able to have a proper iftar,” Guterres said. 

He added that it is “a moral outrage” that there are thousands of aid trucks parked on the Egyptian side of the border awaiting access, while people in Gaza are facing starvation. 

“While nothing justifies the actions of October 7, nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” Guterres said. “There are hardships, houses demolished, entire families and generations wiped out, while hunger stalks the population.” 

He urged people to “stand on the right side of history,” adding, “It is time to silence the guns. We need a ceasefire. I will not give up. We should not give up, for the sake of humanity.”

Guterres also called for funding and support of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Prior to his press conference at the crossing, the secretary-general was received by Sinai governor Mohamad Shusha at El-Arish airport.

Shusha said that some 7,000 trucks are currently waiting in North Sinai to deliver aid to Gaza, but that inspection procedures demanded by Israel have held up the flow of aid.

Guterres also visited Palestinian evacuees from Gaza receiving treatment at Arish General Hospital in Sinai and said he was “moved” by their spirit.

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Putin Addresses Russians After Moscow Crocus Concert Hall Terrorist Attack - Full Video

People in camouflage burst into the ground floor of the Crocus City Hall venue located in Krasnogorsk, a city in the north-west of the Moscow region, and opened fire with automatic weapons. The gunmen then threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire in the venue.

Watch full video of Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering an address following the terrorist attack in the Moscow Crocus City Hall.

Earlier, the heads of the FSB, Interior Ministry, Investigative Committee and Rosgvardia reported to Putin on the progress of the investigation into the terrorist attack. The president also spoke with Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov, and they reported on assistance to the victims.

The head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations spoke about measures to save people.

More than twenty countries condemned the terrorist attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

Putin declares March 24 day of nationwide mourning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared March 24 a day of nationwide mourning after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall mall.

"I declare March 24 a day of nationwide mourning," he said in a televised address to the nation.

Death toll from concert hall terrorist attack rises to 133

The death toll from the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow has climbed to 133 people, the Russian Investigative Committee told TASS.

"As the rubble was being removed in the concert hall of the Crocus City Hall, the number of people killed in the terrorist attack has risen to 133. The search operation is underway," the statement said.

Terrorists in Crocus City Hall were shooting at point-blank range — eyewitnesses

Terrorists who infiltrated the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow on Friday evening were firing at their victims at point-blank range. They opened fire near the turnstiles at the entrance, eyewitnesses told TASS.

"They were shooting at point-blank range," one of them said. According to another young man, the shooting began almost at the entrance.

"Some people fell down. I was wounded myself," he said before being taken to hospital.

Intel agencies detain 11 people involved in Crocus City Hall attack — FSB

©Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS

Intelligence agencies have detained 11 people, including four terrorists, who were directly involved in an attack on the Crocus City Hall, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement.

"The activities of intelligence and law enforcement agencies have resulted in the detention of 11 people, including four terrorists, who directly participated in the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall," the statement reads.

Work is underway to identify terrorist accomplices and establish all the circumstances of the attack.

"It has already been established that the terrorist attack was carefully planned. The weapons that the terrorists used had been placed in a cache in advance," the FSB noted

Suspect in Crocus City Hall shooting attack says he was promised reward of $5,400

A man detained on suspicion of involvement in the Crocus City Hall attack has said he was promised a reward of 500,000 rubles ($5,400), according to a video posted on RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan’s Telegram channel.

"I shot down people at the Crocus for money; [I was promised] about 500,000," he said.

The detainee added that half the money had been transferred to his card, while he had been promised he would receive the other half later. He lost the card while trying to escape from law enforcement officers.

Putin, Uzbek president discuss Crocus City Hall attack in phone call

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan have discussed a terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall near Moscow in a phone call, the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

"Shavkat Mirziyoyev strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall, expressing heartfelt condolences over the tragedy. He conveyed sympathy to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured," the statement reads.

"Both parties reaffirmed their determination to maintain close cooperation in combating terrorism," the Kremlin press service added.

The terrorist attack took place at the Crocus City Hall in the town of Krasnogorsk outside Moscow late on March 22. Unidentified gunmen armed with automatic weapons went on a shooting spree. According to the latest data from Russia’s Investigative Committee, 115 people were killed but that number may grow. Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov has announced the detention of 11 people involved in the attack, including four perpetrators who had tried to escape towards the Ukrainian border.

Catherine, Princess of Wales says she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, she said Friday in a stunning announcement that follows weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.

Her condition was disclosed in a video message recorded Wednesday in Windsor and broadcast Friday, coming after relentless speculation on social media ever since she was hospitalized in January for unspecified abdominal surgery.

Kate asked for “time, space and privacy” while she is treated for an unspecified type of cancer, which was discovered after her surgery.

“I am well,” she said. “I am getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal.”

Kate, 42, hadn’t been seen publicly since Christmas until video surfaced this week of her with her husband, Prince William, heir to the throne, walking from a farm shop near their Windsor home.

The news is another jolt for the royal family since the announcement last month that King Charles III was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer that was discovered while undergoing a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate.

Charles said he is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,” according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace. He had remained in the “closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law” in the past weeks.

Kensington Palace had given little detail about Kate’s condition beyond saying it wasn’t cancer-related, the surgery was successful and recuperation would keep the princess away from public duties until April. Kate said it had been thought that her condition was non-cancerous until tests revealed the diagnosis.

“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family,” she said.

Kate said it had taken her time to recover from major surgery before starting preventative treatment, which she said was in the early stages.

“Preventive chemotherapy after surgery is given to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future — a bit like mopping a floor with bleach when you’ve spilt something on it, chemotherapy kills any spilt cells,” said Professor Andrew Beggs, a senior clinical fellow at the University of Birmingham.

Kate said it has been “an incredibly tough couple of months” for her family. She said it had taken time to tell her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a way “appropriate for them” and reassure them she will be OK.

The news comes after the start of the Easter holidays, which will shield the children from media coverage of the news.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that Kate “has shown tremendous bravery.” He added: “In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media.”

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, also sent his best wishes to the princess at this “distressing time.”

“We are incredibly sad to hear of the news,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who opened her briefing with reporters moments after news of cancer treatment broke. “We are taking this in, this terrible news, as all of you are.”

Charles, 75, has withdrawn from public duties while he has cancer treatment, though he’s appeared frequently in photos carrying on meetings with government officials and dignitaries and was even seen going to church.

Kate, on the other hand, had been out of view instead of appearing at charity events and promoting causes such as early childhood, leading to weeks of speculation and gossip. Attempts to put rumors to bed by releasing a photo of her on Mother’s Day in the UK surrounded by her three smiling children backfired when The Associated Press and other news agencies retracted the image because it had been manipulated.

Kate issued a statement the next day acknowledging she liked to “experiment with editing” and apologizing for “any confusion” the photo had caused. But that did little to quell the speculation.

Even the footage published by The Sun and TMZ that appeared to show Kate and William shopping sparked a new flurry of rumor-mongering, with some armchair sleuths refusing to believe the video showed Kate at all.

Earlier this week, a British privacy watchdog said it was investigating a report that staff at the private London hospital where she was treated tried to snoop on her medical records while she was a patient for abdominal surgery.

The former Kate Middleton, who married William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011, has boosted the popularity and appeal of the British monarchy worldwide more than any royal since Princess Diana.

The princess is the oldest of three children brought up in a well-to-do neighborhood in Berkshire, west of London. The Middletons have no aristocratic background, and the British press often referred to Kate as a “commoner” marrying into royalty.

Kate attended the private girls’ school Marlborough College and then University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she met William around 2001. Friends and housemates at first, their relationship came to be in the public eye when they were pictured together on a skiing holiday in Switzerland in 2004.

Kate graduated in 2005 with a degree in art history and a budding relationship with the prince.