Ambassadors from various foreign countries gathered in Moscow on Saturday to pay tribute to the victims of the recent concert hall attack near the city. The attack, which occurred on March 22, resulted in the deaths of at least 144 people, making it the deadliest attack in Russia in two decades.
The ceremony, organized by the Russian foreign ministry’s protocol department, saw over 250 people, including heads and staff of more than 130 diplomatic missions, participate in laying flowers at the memorial near the Crocus City Hall complex. Ambassadors from the United States, European Union, Africa, Latin America, and representatives of the UN and other organizations were among those who paid their respects.
During the ceremony, attendees also launched white balloons into the sky as a symbol of remembrance for the victims. The protocol department expressed gratitude to the diplomatic corps for their solidarity with the Russian people during this difficult time.
The attack was claimed by the Islamic State, with U.S. officials pointing to intelligence suggesting it was carried out by the group’s Afghan branch, ISIS-K. Russian investigators have alleged a link between the gunmen and “Ukrainian nationalists,” a claim that the United States has dismissed as propaganda. Despite Russia’s accusations, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack.