Putin vows retribution for 'barbaric' Moscow attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called an attack on a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 100 a "barbaric terrorist act" and vowed harsh retribution to all those involved.

In a televised address, Putin said all four gunmen had been arrested before they had a chance to cross the border into Ukraine.

Russian authorities have repeatedly pointed finger at Kyiv, ignoring Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack. Ukraine has denied complicity.

The Russian army claimed capturing a Ukrainian village near Bakhmut, as Moscow upped the pressure on Kyiv in wake of Friday’s terror attack. Amid dwindling Western support for Ukraine, Russian forces have been gradually advancing into Ukrainian territories.

"I am speaking to you today in connection with the bloody, barbaric terrorist act, the victims of which were dozens of innocent, peaceful people," Putin said in his first public remarks since the attack.

"Terrorists, murderers, non-humans will face the unenviable fate of retribution and oblivion," said Putin, who declared Sunday a day of national mourning across Russia.