The investigation into the Crocus City Hall attack has reached a clear conclusion, according to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. The committee’s chair, Alexander Bastrykin, disclosed to the president that the sequence of events has been precisely established, marking a turning point in understanding how the tragedy unfolded, as reported by TASS.
Bastrykin stressed that the timeline has been reconstructed with exactitude, offering a full account of the sequence from start to finish.
According to the findings, four perpetrators arrived at the Crocus City Hall complex in a Renault around 19:54 on March 22 and waited near the venue to observe potential visitors. At 19:58, assailants armed with automatic weapons opened fire on people outside the building, then moved inside to continue the assault on those inside the hall.
During the attack, the assailants set portions of the building ablaze using gasoline carried in plastic bottles, and the flames were extinguished around 20:11. Early indicators point to a meticulously planned operation.
The assault lasted 17 minutes, after which the attackers attempted to flee by striking pedestrians with vehicles. The violence left several individuals wounded, including two children who sustained serious injuries and received medical care promptly.
All four suspects were intercepted in the Bryansk region while en route toward the Russia-Ukraine border, halting their escape efforts.
One of the detained individuals was captured with a baby in his arms amid the chaotic scenes at Crocus City Hall, illustrating the disruption and fear that accompanied the incident.