Watan-Reports have circulated that the United States Embassy in Moscow issued a warning two weeks ago indicating awareness of a terrorist plot for attacks in Moscow, but it seems that Russian authorities did not take the matter seriously.
Several gunmen stormed a large concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow on Friday, opening fire on attendees, resulting in an unspecified number of casualties and igniting a massive fire.
On March 7th, the American embassy issued a warning hinting at a similar nature of the attack that struck Moscow on Friday, March 22nd.
أعلام روسي
مقتل ٤٠ شخصا وإصابة اكثر من ١٠٠ شخص نتيجة إطلاق نار في مركز تجاري في قاعة موسيقية ومول تجاري في محيط موسكو.
-وكانت السفارة الأمريكية قبل أسبوعين بالظبط قد حذرت الرعايا الامريكان في موسكو من التواجد في أماكن الازدحام pic.twitter.com/Y9oSe2PoXv— Ayman Abdel Nour (@aabnour) March 22, 2024
The embassy stated, “The embassy is monitoring reports indicating that extremists are planning to attack large gatherings in Moscow, including music concerts, in the near future, and American citizens should avoid large gatherings in the next 48 hours.”
Russian media quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that President Vladimir Putin was informed about the incident at the Crocus Music Hall “in the early minutes” of the attack.
Peskov stated, according to Russian media, that the president is being briefed on developments and measures being taken through all relevant agencies and is giving necessary instructions.
New statement from the US Embassy
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Moscow stated on Friday that it is “shocked” by reports of a “terrorist attack” at a music concert hall in the Crocus area of Moscow.
The embassy added in a statement via Telegram, “We express our deepest condolences to the Russian people for the loss of lives and injuries resulting from the terrorist attack.”
It continued, “As events continue to unfold, we strongly encourage American citizens in Moscow to avoid the area and follow instructions from local security authorities and monitor local media for updates.”
It is worth mentioning that Russian President Vladimir Putin described the warnings issued by the US embassy earlier this week about possible terrorist attacks in Moscow as “provocative.”
السفارة الامريكية التي أبصرت
قبل أسبوع في #روسيا
وحذرت رعايهامن حدث امني مرتقب
فهل السفارة مطلعةأم معدة للخطةلماحصل الليلة
بقاعة مدينة #كروكوس؟
وهل تقصده بما حذرت؟
او ليس #أمريكا عميت ب #اليمن بعدمغادرة سفارتها2015
وقالوالديهم فجوةإستخبارية
لنرى رد الروس على ذلك#امريكا_الارهاب pic.twitter.com/fOEW6dD7Jw— محمد علي الحوثي (@Moh_Alhouthi) March 22, 2024
In a speech delivered on Tuesday, Putin told the Federal Security Service, “All these actions resemble explicit blackmail and an intention to intimidate our society and destabilize it. You are well aware of it, so I will not delve into details at this stage.”
According to NBC News, the ability of the US government to provide routine or emergency services to American citizens in Russia is extremely limited, especially in areas far from the US Embassy in Moscow, due to restrictions imposed by the Russian government on the travel of embassy staff and ongoing suspension.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a message posted on its website, “Operations, including consular services, at US consulates in Russia have been suspended and American citizens have been advised not to travel to Russia.”
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who died in prison last month, expressed her condolences for the attack on Friday.
Navalnaya wrote on the X channel, “What a nightmare in Crocus. Condolences to the families of the victims and speedy recovery to the wounded. All those involved in this crime must be found and held accountable.”
Какой кошмар в Крокусе. Соболезнования родным погибших и выздоровления пострадавшим. Все причастные к этому преступлению должны быть найдены и понести ответственность
— Yulia Navalnaya (@yulia_navalnaya) March 22, 2024
Is Ukraine involved?
In a related context, the White House said on Friday that it has no initial indication that Ukraine, facing a Russian invasion, was involved in a “heinous” attack on a music concert hall in Moscow.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the United States is still gathering information after Russian officials said gunmen opened fire in a “terrorist” attack, resulting in deaths and injuries.