Putin: Russia ready for close cooperation in investigating into Paris terrorist attacks

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin sent a condolences telegram to France’s President Francois Hollande, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

"This tragedy is another proof of the barbarian nature of terrorism, which challenges the human civilization. Clearly, for effective fighting this evil, the entire international community should unite efforts," Putin said in the telegram. "I would like to confirm the Russian side is ready for most close cooperation with the French counterparts in investigating into the crime in Paris. I hope the initiators and executors will receive deserved punishments."

Paris terrorist attacks

A series of terrorist acts took place at six various venues in Paris Friday evening with the use of automatic weapons and explosive devices. Hostages were taken in the Bataclan concert hall where 1,500 people gathered for a rock concert. The president declared the state of emergency in the country and closed the state borders.

Five terrorists, according to preliminary data, took part in the terrorist acts in Paris, the French capital’s prosecutor Francois Molins said Saturday.

Meanwhile, Agence France Presse reported citing sources close to investigation that eight participants of the terrorist attacks were killed. Four attackers died in the Bataclan hall: three activated suicide belts, and one was liquidated by law enforcers. Three suicide bombers activated their belts near the Stade de France stadium. Another terrorist blew himself up near Bataclan, sources said.

Molins also said the death toll in the terrorist acts could exceed 120 people. He said there are confirmed data on the death of overall 38 people at various points in the city close to the Bataclan concert hall where the main tragedy occurred. "The figures are very serious, as, if we add that to the Bataclan death toll, there unfortunately is a probability that the final death toll will reach or even exceed 120."

Later on the day, BFMTV reported the death toll reached 127; another 192 are injured and 80 of them are in poor conditions.

The Elysee Palace said after an extraordinary ministerial conference led by President Francois Hollande that the French authorities have sent their 1,500-strong unit of servicemen to ensure security in Paris after the large-scale terrorist attack occurred in the French capital on Friday evening.

President Hollande announced a three-day mourning in the country and said Islamic State was behind the tragedy.