The US embassy in Russia issued a security alert earlier this month warning that a possible terror attack was imminent.
  • Gunmen stormed a concert hall in Moscow on Friday, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100.
  • Earlier this month, the US embassy issued a security alert warning of a potential terror attack.
  • Just days ago, Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea as “blackmail” from the West.

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Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning about a potential terror attack in Moscow and urged people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of surroundings.

“The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the March 7 security alert said.

Putin addressed the warnings a couple weeks later, criticizing the warning three days ago as “provocative.”

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“All this resembles outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society,” Putin said, according to state media reporting on his remarks.

The US embassy issued another alert on Friday saying it was “aware” of the attack and urged Americans to avoid the area.

  • AutoTL;DRBEnglish
    2•8 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed US warnings about a potential terror incident in Moscow just days before gunmen attacked a concert hall in the city on Friday.

    At least 40 people are dead and more than 100 are injured after multiple armed individuals stormed the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, state-run news agency TASS reported, citing Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, which called the incident a “terrorist attack.”

    According to Russian state media, the unidentified gunmen were armed with assault rifles and opened fire in the lobby of the building before moving into the main concern hall, where a band was scheduled to perform.

    Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning about a potential terror attack in Moscow and urged people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of surroundings.

    Though concerts were mentioned as a potential target in the US security alert, it is unclear at this time if Friday’s attack is related to the threats that Washington was tracking.

    “We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

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