Two weeks before Friday’s attack on a large Russian concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow that left more than 130 people dead, the U.S. Embassy issued a warning against “large gatherings, including concerts,” citing “imminent plans.” He warned Americans to avoid. Due to attacks by “extremists”.
“The embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings, including a concert in Moscow. U.S. citizens are advised to refrain from large gatherings for the next 48 hours. should be advised to avoid,” the March 7 warning said.
The Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack, which was acknowledged by the United States, even as Russian officials sought to point the blame at Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the US warning as “blackmail” days before the attack.
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Russian Los Guardia National Guard soldiers secure the area after a massive fire broke out over Crocus City Hall in the western edge of Moscow, Russia, on Friday, after ISIS terrorists stormed the building and fired automatic weapons into the crowd. Members. (AP photo)
According to Russia’s Tass news agency, President Putin said just three days before the attack that “all this is an open threat and resembles an intention to blackmail and destabilize society,” warning: “It’s provocative,” he said.
The State Department confirmed to Fox News that U.S. intelligence agencies had received information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow, which led the State Department to issue a public advisory to U.S. citizens living in Russia.
The U.S. government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its long-standing “duty to warn” policy.
Russian concert hall goes up in flames after attack, investigated as terrorism
On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying: “The United States strongly condemns (Friday’s) deadly terrorist attack in Moscow. We stand behind the lives of those killed and harmed by this heinous terrorist attack. I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.” We condemn all forms of terrorism and stand in solidarity with the Russian people who mourn the loss of life caused by this terrible event. ”
Also on Saturday, President Putin addressed the nation on television, condemning the massacre as a “bloody, barbaric act of terrorism.” He declared Sunday, March 24th as his day of remembrance.
President Putin said extra security measures had been taken across the country following the deadliest attack in more than 20 years.
“All four direct perpetrators of the terrorist attack, all those who shot and killed them, have been found and detained,” Putin said. “They moved towards Ukraine in an attempt to hide, but preliminary data suggests that there was a window prepared for them to cross the state border from the Ukrainian side,” a possible link between Ukraine and the bloodshed. It suggests sex.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denied any involvement by his country.
The surprise attack began when gunmen in combat fatigues stormed Crocus Town Hall, where concertgoers had gathered to listen to the Russian band Picnic. Videos online showed gunmen opening fire, hitting protesters at point-blank range and setting off smoke grenades.
On Saturday, in the western edge of Moscow, Russia, the Crocus City Hall is seen burned after the attack. (AP Photo/Vitaly Smolnikov)
According to Russian media, the gunmen threw explosives into the concert hall during the attack, shaking the building and setting it on fire. People were evacuated, but some remained trapped inside the burning building, Russian media said.
Russia vs. Paraguay soccer match canceled due to concert hall attack in Moscow region
The roof of the theater collapsed early Saturday morning as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze for several hours. Russians laid flowers at the monument and lined up to donate blood.
President Putin said Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and other law enforcement agencies were working to identify all terrorist support sites.
“These are the people who provided them with transportation, planned their escape routes from the scene of the crime, and prepared caches of weapons and ammunition,” Putin said. “It is already clear that we face not only carefully and cynically planned terrorist attacks, but also systematic mass murder of peaceful and defenseless people. They were killing our people and trying to shoot us in the blanks – our children.”
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Intelligence agencies believe that an ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan called Islamic State Khorasan (commonly known as ISIS-K) carried out the attack, a US official told Fox News.
This is the same terrorist group that killed 13 U.S. service members at Abbey Gate during the U.S. hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
FOX News’ Michael Dorgan and Lucas Y. Tomlinson contributed to this report.
