Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to U.S. President Barack Obama and all U.S. citizens affected by the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the Kremlin press office reported Sunday.
In a telegram sent to the U.S. president, Putin said that Russia shared the pain and sorrow of those who had lost their loved ones as a result of the “barbaric” attack and was hoping for the quick recovery of the wounded.
Fifty people have been reported dead at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando after Omar Mateen, 29, began shooting into the crowd in the early hours of June 12. In a call to the emergency services, Mateen allegedly said that he had been inspired by the Islamic State to carry out the attack. He was killed as police stormed the building, Reuters reported.
The Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.