the attackers walked through the stalls, firing indiscriminately. dozens of people are reported to have been killed. "they have set the hall on fire, the hall's on fire," he says, as more shots ring out. then, the rush to escape. "there is panic, panic," she says, as the crowds fled from the auditorium, trying to get out. soon the whole building was ablaze. the mayor of moscow said it was a terrible tragedy. the russian foreign ministry called it a bloody terrorist attack. "i saw how the terrorists came in and started shooting "i saw how the terrorists came in and started shooting everyone," he says. "we were led to an exit but it was locked. "we ran around, looking for a way out. "in the end, we went into the basement and waited for the emergency services." police and russian special forces rushed to the scene. some of the attackers are reported to have escaped. the search is on to find them. two weeks ago, the us embassy here issued a warning that extremists planned to target large gatherings in moscow, including concerts, within 48 hours. it is not clear whether there is any connection between that it's not clear whether there's any connection between that alert and this attack. the images are just horrible and just hard to watch. and our thoughts, obviously, are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack. who were the attackers? there's been no confirmation on their identities from the on their identities from the russian authorities, but late tonight, islamic state claimed responsibility for the attack. the scale of destruction and loss of life is becoming clear after an assault on civilians that has shocked russia. our russia editor steve rosenberg has more on the whereabouts of the attackers they did get away possibly a white car. who they did get away possibly a white car- who were _ they did get away possibly a white car. who were they? _ they did get away possibly a white car. who were they? ukraine - they did get away possibly a white car. who were they? ukraine has. they did get away possibly a white . car. who were they? ukraine has said at nothing to do with this attack. there were reports that exotic state had claimed responsibility for the attack on the constable closed out the rusting authorities have yet to comment on that. vladimir putin has made no public comments, but we're told he's been kept up to date with vince there. meanwhile, security has been stepped up here in the russian capital. at airports, at railway stations... questions are already being asked — how is it has possible for armed men to get into a very prominent venue where there are potentially thousands attending? also to carry out such a bloody attack, especially since earlier this month, us diplomats had warned that some kind of attack on a public gathering in moscow, possibly concert, was imminent. the americans were talking about an attack within 48 hours. it didn't happen, but we've seen tonight in moscow was a terrible attack. at least dozens of people killed in an attack which has shocked the whole country. let's speak to our correspondent will vernon in washington. give us the very latest. the latest from here is what we've been hearing is from the bbc partner cbs news. they spoke in one us official who said that washington has intelligence confirming the ice �*s responsible for that attack. we heard earlier from an �*s responsible for that attack. we heard earlierfrom an ice is linked account that claimed responsibility for this attack. one us official apparently confirming that to the bbc�*s partners in cbs news. these isis linked accounts say experts do occasionally publish claims, but it would appear that in this case, that there is some sort of link two isis. in steve mentioned this security alert. 15 days ago warning of the potential for extremist to target large gatherings in moscow, including concerts. and vladimir putin a few days ago, he poured scorn over that morning. he said this was intimidation by the west and an effort to basically so panic in russian society. as you heard earlier, john kirby mentioned that security alert. earlier, john kirby mentioned that security alert-— security alert. we're seeing -ictures security alert. we're seeing pictures from _ security alert. we're seeing pictures from outside - security alert. we're seeing pictures from outside the l security alert. we're seeing - pictures from outside the venue. still a big security operation. they're responding to it. you worked in moscow and you know the area well. tell us a little bit about that than you and any details you have about whether there is any security or if you go to a concert what it's like.— what it's like. crocus city hall is art of what it's like. crocus city hall is part of an _ what it's like. crocus city hall is part of an enormous _ what it's like. crocus city hall is part of an enormous site, - what it's like. crocus city hall is . part of an enormous site, including concert halls, shopping centres, exhibition centres, restaurants, sports facilities — all kinds of things. it really is an enormous sprawling costs are in your four —— venue near moscow. now, this site is not in the centre of moscow. it's outside the city. if you're looking for a target, i think this would be an hundred animals choice. —— understandable choice. lots and lots of people around, very busy, and not in the centre of moscow, notice closely guarded as some of the locations of the city centre. so, at this kind of venue, there will probably be light security, a few unarmed guards, maybe some metal detectors. not too much that would cause problems for gunmen. in terms ofthe cause problems for gunmen. in terms of the resnonse _ cause problems for gunmen. in terms of the response that _ cause problems for gunmen. in terms of the response that we _ cause problems for gunmen. in terms of the response that we can _ cause problems for gunmen. in terms of the response that we can expect, l of the response that we can expect, from the russian authorities? weill. from the russian authorities? well, i mean, from the russian authorities? well, i mean. from _ from the russian authorities? well, i mean, from what _ from the russian authorities? well, i mean, from what we _ from the russian authorities? -ii i mean, from what we understand, these gunmen have still not been found, not been apprehended. that's at least what the russian national guard posted on one of their social media channels a few hours ago. they said that the search for these culprits continues, so we don't know. there's no information about anyone being detained orfound in that building. so it seems that at the moment, the whereabouts of those suspects are unknown. that was a obviously be the first priority for the russian authorities, to find those men. we don't know how many of them there were. one russian news agency said there were up to five, and we can see from videos from the incident that there were at least three of them. that will certainly be the first priority. we've seen there is already increase security and a number of sites across moscow and a number of sites across moscow and russia's second city st. petersburg. i think the first priority will be securing the situation is and is now. irefill priority will be securing the situation is and is now. will will vernon, thank _ situation is and is now. will will vernon, thank you _ situation is and is now. will will vernon, thank you very - situation is and is now. will will vernon, thank you very much i situation is and is now. will will - vernon, thank you very much indeed. us intelligence confirming responsibility in moscow. as well as from the cbs. we've seen those emergency lights still flashing outside the venue. the crocus city hall where this attack took place, and at least 40 people we know have been killed, and their other reports of more casualties than that, but we are waiting to confirm the figures. it is the scene as the response continue in moscow. the gunman as we understand are still at large. ukraine has denied any involvement in this incident. our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford had this update from kyiv. first of all, the foreign ministry has said it categorically rejecting ukrainian involvement. a presidential adviser to president berlinski also said ukraine has nothing to do with it. . saying ukrainian war with russia will be decided on the battlefield. there's also been a statement from ukrainian military intelligence who have gone much further that they blame russia. they say this is a provocative attack. in order to pin the blame on ukraine. and then to boulder support within russia for russia's war on ukraine. their suggestion in order to bolster support for fighting that border. they've given no evidence for that and remember you russia and ukraine are in war. that's a statement that are coming out from here and ukraine. one thing that is clear is as those news are coming in, as people in kyiv are watching news of the attack in moscow coming in, they were afraid, they were worried that ukraine will be blamed for this attack and that that will have consequences for them here in ukraine. this has been two years of devastating attacks by russia on ukraine. just last night, 150 missiles and drones were fired from russia. the fear here is that if russia. the fear here is that if russia is blame ukraine for this attack, there will be much more and much worse still to come. ilrrui’itli attack, there will be much more and much worse still to come. with their exerience much worse still to come. with their experience of— much worse still to come. with their experience of working _ much worse still to come. with their experience of working in _ much worse still to come. with their experience of working in russia - much worse still to come. with their experience of working in russia and| experience of working in russia and how they operate, they talked about having the official committee opening up criminal investigation into terrorism laws. sorry, major crimes investigating anti—terrorism. what will it mean? crimes investigating anti-terrorism. what will it mean?— crimes investigating anti-terrorism. what will it mean? that's automatic rocedure. what will it mean? that's automatic procedure- the _ what will it mean? that's automatic procedure. the nature _ what will it mean? that's automatic procedure. the nature of _ what will it mean? that's automatic procedure. the nature of the - what will it mean? that's automatic procedure. the nature of the attack| procedure. the nature of the attack means is classified as a terror attack. criminal cases are immediately open. it will mean that roads can be close, people can be interrogated and questioned. you have to ask how that attack was able to happen in the first place of course. you now gunmen in the middle of a big city were able to get in, that there is no intelligent set of time. that's a very big question because we do know that around about the time that the american and the british embassy were publishing information about a possible extremist threat inside moscow, there was also information from russia's intelligent service. they were supposedly on high alert and this is taking place. i think there's a lot of questions about security measures before the attack and also about health these men have been apparently it managing to escape somewhere into the city. scaring out a devastating attack on extremely busy venue in moscow. earlier i spoke to matthew schmidt, professor of planning and strategy, at us army school of advanced military studies i think the person goes to my mind is this looks a lot like the terrorist attack in 2002. immediately, the questions are how did the authorities respond. were they able to do this equipment what surprise he was he an of cynicism journalism. it seems the russian national guard have left the hall and are looking for those who carried out the attack. , ,., , ., attack. first reports are never correct full — attack. first reports are never correct full evils _ attack. first reports are never correct full evils true - attack. first reports are never correct full evils true that - attack. first reports are never| correct full evils true that they showed up at hour late and that that has hindered her ability to pursue the attackers. that's a huge sign of incompetence. if you had a free press, you would want them to find out why that was the case. i don't think that's going to happen, but i think that's going to happen, but i think that's going to happen, but i think that's a number nervous. you got a more present saying ukraine and blood for blood. then you have the fsb ruling out all night ukraine is a perpetrator. it's good to be interesting to see how they make sense. is it likely that they were responsible? i is it likely that they were responsible?— is it likely that they were responsible? is it likely that they were resonsible? . �* responsible? i really can't say. i have no reason _ responsible? i really can't say. i have no reason to _ responsible? i really can't say. i have no reason to believe - responsible? i really can't say. i have no reason to believe they i responsible? i really can't say. i i have no reason to believe they are not responsible. that's the kind of... that's where you need to have the evidence. the problem in a place like russia is that our ability to trust with the government says about the evidence they have that says it's the islamic state or its ukraine or its sever actors, we can't trust because they don't have independent press to god verify. carry—on. independent press to god verify. car -on. ., �* , independent press to god verify. car -on. ., v ., independent press to god verify. carry-on-_ we've - independent press to god verify. carry-on._ we've seen | carry-on. that's all. we've seen videos showing _ carry-on. that's all. we've seen videos showing people - carry-on. that's all. we've seen videos showing people dressed l carry-on. that's all. we've seen | videos showing people dressed in camouflage. how likely was there to be some form of security in a concert like this? i'm speculating here. i don't think you would have seen anything of that sort of light. profiling... but if you're coming with type i am planning that type of equipment, no security is going to be able to stop. they will be able to come through that security and do what they want to do, and that's really the question — who are these folks? and we've heard that the russia investigative committee says it's investigative committee says its opening investigation into the attack on the country's anti—terror law. tell us significance of that and how they were going to investigate something like this. i think the difference for a western audience is that a terrorist act is audience is that a terrorist act is a word that means one thing here and another thing there. they can pretty much roll any kind of public violence under the auspice of terrorism and then take over that investigation like any investigatory body in the kremlin today. i would be very suspect about what they're doing only because there's no transparency. if this in fact is an islamic terrorist group, than they have every reason to produce real evidence for it. but we don't know that with any kind of verification because there's no transparency, and so it's just important to keep because there's no transparency, and so it'sjust important to keep in mind that it's very difficult to trust any of the outcomes of these bodies. i'm not saying they're wrong, i'mjust bodies. i'm not saying they're wrong, i'm just saying there's no verification. the un security council has just condemned what is described as a heinous and cowardly terrorist attack of the concert hall in russia. we will continue to bring those actions for other world. —— from around the world. we'll continue our coverage of that. let's pause for a few minutes of that story. the princess of wales has revealed that she is being treated for cancer. catherine, who is married to the heir to the british throne, stepped back from royal duties when she underwent abdominal surgery injanuary. in a video just released, she said she'd initially thought her condition was "non—cancerous", but later tests found that cancer was present. the princess is receiving preventative chemotherapy. the revelation follows weeks of speculation about her health, which has included several conspiracy theories. here's her video statement in full. i wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst i've been recovering from surgery. it has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but i've had a fantastic medical team who've taken great care of me, for which i'm so grateful. injanuary, i underwent major abdominal surgery in london, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non—cancerous. the surgery was successful. however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. my medical team therefore advised that i should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and i'm now in the early stages of that treatment. this of course came as a huge shock, and william and i have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. as you can imagine, this has taken time. it has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. but most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to george, charlotte and louis in a way that's appropriate for them, and to reassure them that i'm going to be ok. as i've said to them, i am well, and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits. having william by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance, too, as is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. it means so much to us both. we hope that you'll understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while i complete my treatment. my work has always brought me a deep sense ofjoy, and i look forward to being back when i'm able. but for now, i must focus on making a full recovery. at this time, i'm also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. for everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. you are not alone. we're told it was filmed on at windsor. the campus is but a short statement including charles's comments. earlier, our home editor mark easton was outside buckingham palace and sent us this. it's very clear that this is been a well choreographed and thoughtful way of producing this news which the royal household and royal family have been living it with some time. tributes coming in from all sides. i think the public too will be incredibly impressed with the composure and the courage that she showed to make her statement. to people around the world earlier this evening. i think the royalfamily is focused on two things. one is catherine's cancer diagnosis, but the king also still dealing with his own cancer and the treatment that he's taking. i think both of those are very significant blows to the royal family. are very significant blows to the royalfamily. i think book personally for the palace, for both the royal family and the royal household, and professionally. this is a slimmed—down monarchy and is looking dangerously stretch right now. we know that the king is unable to perform all the duties that he would like to because of his cancer treatment. prince william has said he will return to doing his royal duties in the middle of next month when the children go back to school. but of course he's going to want to spend time with his wife, being around for the three young children. so i doubt he's going to take on a full roster of royal duties. of course, prince andrew is no longer a working royal nor indeed are the sussexes, harry and meghan, who are no longer working royal. then you have the queen camilla, who is stepped into her husband's choosing more than one occasion. —— shoes. there will be pressure, i'm sure, from some quarters to do more, but i think the palace will not want to increase her workload. she is 76 years old, and interestingly, when you look at the average age of working royal �*s, it is 72. my expectation is the palace will want to look hard whether they can improve the royal engagements they've been planning. i’zre improve the royal engagements they've been planning. i've been s-ueakin they've been planning. i've been speaking to _ they've been planning. i've been speaking to alexander _ they've been planning. i've been speaking to alexander lerman . they've been planning. i've been i speaking to alexander lerman who gave me reaction to the news. is terribly sad because we've always newm _ is terribly sad because we've always new this— is terribly sad because we've always new this is— is terribly sad because we've always new... this is no short of tragic. i'm new... this is no short of tragic. i'm sure — new... this is no short of tragic. i'm sure i— new... this is no short of tragic. i'm sure i speak for everyone i when i'm sure i speak for everyone i when i heard _ i'm sure i speak for everyone i when i heard the _ i'm sure i speak for everyone i when i heard the news of a crafter after six oclock— i heard the news of a crafter after six o'clock which was like a gut punch — six o'clock which was like a gut punch because it's like a young woman— punch because it's like a young woman with young children. but what makes _ woman with young children. but what makes it_ woman with young children. but what makes it so_ woman with young children. but what makes it so much worse is over the past few— makes it so much worse is over the past few months and weeks, they built this — past few months and weeks, they built this frenzy of speculation that she's had to deal with. obviously, she would not have been searching _ obviously, she would not have been searching through twitter herself. she's _ searching through twitter herself. she's got— searching through twitter herself. she's got better things to do. but she must've known about some of the ridiculous_ she must've known about some of the ridiculous stories going around. you've — ridiculous stories going around. you've got— ridiculous stories going around. you've got to feel for her on this viscerai— you've got to feel for her on this visceral level. you got to feel this awful ordeal she's been going to. i think_ awful ordeal she's been going to. i think not— awful ordeal she's been going to. i think not least, she will be getting the sympathy she deserves. for the people _ the sympathy she deserves. for the people who argued that kensington palace _ people who argued that kensington palace should have come earlier, on the other— palace should have come earlier, on the other hand, cancer is a very frightening _ the other hand, cancer is a very frightening time to go through. the last thing _ frightening time to go through. the last thing you need to think about when _ last thing you need to think about when you're doing it is how is it going _ when you're doing it is how is it going to — when you're doing it is how is it going to play the public arena. i don't _ going to play the public arena. i don't know when the decision was taken _ don't know when the decision was taken to— don't know when the decision was taken to come forward. i don't know who made _ taken to come forward. i don't know who made that decision. whether it was the _ who made that decision. whether it was the princess herself orjoin with— was the princess herself orjoin with william or what. but i think now a _ with william or what. but i think now a lot — with william or what. but i think now a lot of people will feel great sympathy for her. to have been oilioried — sympathy for her. to have been pilloried for not coming or is so deeply— pilloried for not coming or is so deeply hung here —— not coming forward — deeply hung here —— not coming forward is — deeply hung here —— not coming forward is so deeply unfair. she�*s forward is so deeply unfair. she's takin: forward is so deeply unfair. she's taking time _ forward is so deeply unfair. she's taking time for— forward is so deeply unfair. she's taking time for her— forward is so deeply unfair. she's taking time for her children - forward is so deeply unfair. (iffl taking time for her children and how difficult will it be to protect their previously? i difficult will it be to protect their previously?— difficult will it be to protect their previously? i think it's going to be incredibly _ their previously? i think it's going to be incredibly difficult _ their previously? i think it's going to be incredibly difficult because i to be incredibly difficult because as you _ to be incredibly difficult because as you just said, there is a photo that was— as you just said, there is a photo that was released on mother's day, and i_ that was released on mother's day, and i think— that was released on mother's day, and i think that was an attempt to stem _ and i think that was an attempt to stem the — and i think that was an attempt to stem the flow of rumours. it did exactly— stem the flow of rumours. it did exactly the opposite. of course, the trouble _ exactly the opposite. of course, the trouble is _ exactly the opposite. of course, the trouble is that however that was photoshopped, whether it was a few minor— photoshopped, whether it was a few minor tweaks here and there are more substantial _ minor tweaks here and there are more substantial photoshop, there is still the — substantial photoshop, there is still the sense of... i think people feel still the sense of... i think people feet up— still the sense of... i think people feet up to — still the sense of... i think people feel up to prior to a real sense for the princess— feel up to prior to a real sense for the princess of wales because she was one _ the princess of wales because she was one of— the princess of wales because she was one of us before one of them. i think— was one of us before one of them. i think one _ was one of us before one of them. i think one reason for her popularity is because — think one reason for her popularity is because she's seen as somebody who goes— is because she's seen as somebody who goes out. she's always very friendly, — who goes out. she's always very friendly, she's always very accessible and approachable. but her status _ accessible and approachable. but her status as _ accessible and approachable. but her status as a _ accessible and approachable. but her status as a mother is something which _ status as a mother is something which you — status as a mother is something which you want to protect more than anything _ which you want to protect more than anything else. i don't know, i can imagine _ anything else. i don't know, i can imagine how her children are beginning to feel about it. anybody with a _ beginning to feel about it. anybody with a parent with cancer is the most _ with a parent with cancer is the most frightening experience. you have _ most frightening experience. you have to _ most frightening experience. you have to remember all the royal, they are also— have to remember all the royal, they are also a _ have to remember all the royal, they are also a family. this is going to be one _ are also a family. this is going to be one of— are also a family. this is going to be one of those times where they would _ be one of those times where they would want to come together as a family— would want to come together as a family and — would want to come together as a family and to be there for each other~ — family and to be there for each other~ i— family and to be there for each other. i think what we as a nation must _ other. i think what we as a nation must now— other. i think what we as a nation must now remember is that they are owed _ must now remember is that they are owed a _ must now remember is that they are owed a degree of privacy because honestly, — owed a degree of privacy because honestly, the video she made earlier was explicit. you think you're right, — was explicit. you think you're right, you _ was explicit. you think you're right, you have not offered the full and frank — right, you have not offered the full and frank explanation people have been asking for in return, and the least _ been asking for in return, and the least we — been asking for in return, and the least we can do is leave you alone. do you _ least we can do is leave you alone. do you think— least we can do is leave you alone. do you think that marks a complete change for the royal family that in the past there was kind of a never explain, never complain theory? what explain, never complain theory? what i think was interesting was that kin- i think was interesting was that king charles was quite frank about his cancer— king charles was quite frank about his cancer diagnosis and his reason for coming — his cancer diagnosis and his reason for coming out early. it was because it was— for coming out early. it was because it was going — for coming out early. it was because it was going to encourage other people — it was going to encourage other people if— it was going to encourage other people. if you are going through cancer, — people. if you are going through cancer, it— people. if you are going through cancer, it is a very lonely experience sometimes. knowing that others _ experience sometimes. knowing that others are _ experience sometimes. knowing that others are suffering and others are in the _ others are suffering and others are in the same — others are suffering and others are in the same situation as you does .ive in the same situation as you does give you — in the same situation as you does give you a — in the same situation as you does give you a sense of solidarity. around — give you a sense of solidarity. around the princess, criticised for not being — around the princess, criticised for not being more clear. on the other hand, _ not being more clear. on the other hand, sometimes you don't want to come _ hand, sometimes you don't want to come out _ hand, sometimes you don't want to come out and say these things, and she was— come out and say these things, and she was also protecting her children _ she was also protecting her children. i think what we have to remember— children. i think what we have to remember is that we are not odudu degree _ remember is that we are not odudu degree of— remember is that we are not odudu degree of explicit explanation to every— degree of explicit explanation to every single figure of the royal family — every single figure of the royal family. there is no compact between us and _ family. there is no compact between us and them — family. there is no compact between us and them that says we must be given— us and them that says we must be given absolute detail as to their private — given absolute detail as to their private helps the conditions. the fact that — private helps the conditions. the fact that both charles and kate have now come _ fact that both charles and kate have now come forward and told us about the cancer— now come forward and told us about the cancer does suggest that the era of never— the cancer does suggest that the era of never complain, never explain is behind _ of never complain, never explain is behind us — of never complain, never explain is behind us. that is no longer tenable with the _ behind us. that is no longer tenable with the royal family. early, we stepped spoke to dame laura lee. care and support.here's what she had to say. it's a hugely courageous statement that she's made. and and also its wonderful, particularly towards the end, where she talked about how she's taken courage and inspiration from others affected by cancer and offering them the message of hope and that they're not alone. a very powerful message that she's given today. a cancer diagnosis that's absolutely got this ripple effect. and i think what we know is that and herself and she shared is she's needed to take the time for herself to come to terms with and understand her own diagnosis. and that's what we would often recommend to people, is you need to adjust to the information for yourself and then with the support of your loved ones around you and then work out the timing and how you want to talk to your children. and it's often helping parents understand they know their children best. and she's got three wonderful children, but they're at different ages. so they will need that information given in different ways and at different times. but they can pick up on secrets if they can hear rumours. so it is better to have an open and honest dialogue with children not too much, but enough, and then to answer the questions as they as they bring them up.