Dmitry Medvedev, former President of Russia and current deputy head of the Russian Security Council, has issued a stark warning of retaliation in response to the recent terrorist attack at a concert hall near Moscow. In a post on social media platform Telegram, Medvedev emphasized the necessity of employing force against terrorists, asserting that failure to do so would render investigations and prosecutions futile.

"Terrorists only understand the language of terror," Medvedev stated, underscoring the imperative of taking decisive action against perpetrators and their associates. He lamented the absence of alternatives, signaling a determination to pursue justice through robust measures.

The Islamic State (IS), specifically identified as Islamic State Khorasan (ISK), has claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least 93 individuals and left 147 others wounded. The assailants unleashed a barrage of gunfire and explosives at Crocus City Hall and Shopping Center in the Krasnogorsk area of Moscow during a concert by the Russian band Picnic.

The concert hall, with a capacity of 7,500 attendees, was nearly at full capacity when the attackers struck. Witnesses recounted the chaos that ensued as concertgoers were caught off guard by the sudden assault. Following the gunfire, a bomb detonated within the premises, exacerbating the devastation.

In a chilling declaration on social media platform Telegram, IS claimed responsibility for the assault, boasting of inflicting casualties and extensive destruction. The terrorist group asserted that its operatives had executed the attack and subsequently retreated unscathed.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has been apprised of the situation, with regular updates provided since the onset of the attack. President Putin, informed immediately after the incident, continues to monitor developments closely as authorities work to address the aftermath of the tragedy.