Policemen are seen on a road near the scene where the terror attacks occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 16, 2019. (Xinhua/Lu Huaiqian)

MOSCOW, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin called Friday's attacks on civilians in two mosques of New Zealand's Christchurch "shocking in its violence and cynicism."

In a condolence message to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Putin said he hopes that "every person involved in this crime will sustain a well-deserved punishment."

The president said that Russians share the grief of those who lost their loved ones and hope for a speedy recovery of the injured.

Moscow is shocked by the terrible crime in New Zealand and expresses deep sorrow and support for the country's people, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a briefing.

At least 49 people were killed and 48 others wounded in the attacks on two mosques of New Zealand's Christchurch earlier in the day.