Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a state mourning on October 28 in the memory of innocent victims of the three-day long hostage siege in which over 90 people were killed.

The flags would fly at half-mast throughout the country and the television channels have been recommended to cancel entertainment programmes, Kremlin Press Office said on October 27.

Earlier, in his nation-wide television address Putin apologised for the captives' deaths saying, "Please forgive us. The memory of the victims must unite all of us."

PTI