- On Friday, gunmen attacked a concert hall in Moscow, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100.
- Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy issued an alert warning of a possible terrorist attack.
- Just days ago, President Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea as “blackmail” from the West.
On Friday, days before gunmen stormed a concert hall in the city, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed US warnings of a possible terrorist attack in Moscow.
Armed groups attacked Moscow's Crocus City Hall, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100, Russia's Investigative Committee reported. The state-run TASS news agency reported on the 40th that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
A graphic video posted on social media claims to show the attack unfolding. In some footage, gunshots and screams from concertgoers can be heard.
Russian state media said unidentified gunmen armed with assault rifles opened fire in the building's lobby before moving into the main hall where the band was scheduled to perform. It added that an explosion inside the venue sparked a fire that engulfed at least a third of the building and spread to the roof.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in Russia issued an alert warning of a possible terrorist attack in Moscow, urging people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates and be aware of their surroundings.
The March 7 alert stated, “The embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings, including concerts, in Moscow. “We should advise people to avoid large gatherings for the next 48 hours.”
President Putin addressed the warning several weeks later, calling the three-day warning “provocative.”
According to TASS, the Russian president said on March 19 that the purpose of “recent provocative statements by a number of Western government agencies regarding possible terrorist attacks in Russia” was to harm Russian society. Ta.
“All these are open threats and resemble an attempt to blackmail and destabilize society,” Putin said, according to state media that reported his remarks.
The U.S. Embassy issued another alert Friday saying it was “aware” of the attack and urged Americans to avoid the area.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said in an official statement that it “strongly condemns the horrific attack that took place at a concert hall in Moscow.” “We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.”
Immediately after Friday's attack, ISIS claimed responsibility, according to a post on Telegram, a news agency linked to the terror group. U.S. officials later acknowledged that the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), an offshoot of ISIS, was responsible and had planned the attack.
The group is known to operate in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, and is also suspected of operating inside Russia, two U.S. officials told The Washington Post. It reported that the embassy's alert was based at least in part on intelligence about ISIS. K activities in Russia.
White House officials revealed further information Friday night in a statement reported by multiple media outlets.
Spokesman Adrian Watson said: “Earlier this month, the US government received information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow, which may have targeted large gatherings, including concerts. “The State Department has issued a public advisory to Americans living in Russia.” White House National Security Council.
“The U.S. government also shared this information with Russian authorities, in accordance with its long-standing 'duty to warn' policy,” Watson said, adding that intelligence agencies are committed to notifying potential victims, whether they are U.S. citizens or not. He referred to the US policy in , about a specific, credible and imminent threat.
