Putin Offers Condolences for Vienna Shooting Victims

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences Tuesday to the Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, after the attack that hit Vienna on Monday evening.

The Kremlin quoted the text of the message as follows: “The Russian head of state strongly condemns this brutal crime, which once again confirms the inhuman essence of terrorism, and expresses his confidence that the forces of terror will not be able to intimidate anyone and spread discord and enmity between different religions' believers."

Putin also renewed his country's readiness to intensify cooperation with Austria and other members of the international community in combating all forms and aspects of terrorism.

On Monday evening, multiple gunmen with automatic weapons opened fire at multiple locations across central Vienna, killing at least two people and wounding several more.

Austrian police units have arrested 4 participants in the terrorist-classified attack that hit the heart of Vienna.

Authorities announced that the attack took place in 6 different locations near the largest synagogue in the city, while the police confirmed that there are deaths and injuries in several shooting incidents, but their number has not yet been confirmed.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the attack as a “repulsive terror attack”, declaring the deployment of army forces in Vienna to help the police.