Multiple gunmen dressed in combat fatigues carried out a mass shooting at a concert Hall in Moscow, Russia on Friday, injuring dozens. This comes just weeks after the Russian government claimed to have stopped a terrorist attack at a synagogue, and warned that an ISIS cell is active in the country.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that at least three men in combat fatigues opened fire, while news agency TASS said it occurred at the popular Crocus City Hall, a large venue on the western side of the Russian capital of Moscow.
The Russian government later said 40 people died and more than 100 were wounded in the attack. It is the deadliest terrorist attack Russia has seen in years.
Footage shows gunmen firing at people with military-grade weaponry both inside and outside of the concert hall, and a faraway shot of the location showed smoke billowing out of it into the Russian night.
🚨#UPDATE: At least 40+ people have been killed, with at least over 100 wounded following a reported terrorist attack in Crocus city hall in Moscow pic.twitter.com/fxdWwXjHo6
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 22, 2024
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People are seen lying on the ground after shots were fired, possibly dead. Eyewitness reports told TASS that several were “killed and wounded” in the attack. Social media users initially claimed dozens had been wounded and up to 12 were dead.
“At least three people in camouflage burst into the ground floor of Crocus City Hall and opened fire with automatic weapons,” and said, “There are definitely wounded.” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed a “terrible tragedy” had occurred.
Concertgoers were awaiting a show by veteran rock band Piknik. Emergency services arrived on the scene with the Moscow regional governor soon after receiving reports.
As Valuetainment previously reported, the US embassy in Russia was on high alert on March 8th, warning that “extremists” were plotting to commit terrorist attacks at large events in Moscow, and said the threats are “imminent.” They specified that US citizens should avoid “large gatherings” over that weekend. They have also called repeatedly for all Americans to leave Russia.
That came just hours after Russia’s Federal Security Service said it had stopped an Afghan contingency of the Islamic State from committing a shooting at a synagogue.
“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 official warning read.
The Russian Security Service (FSB) has said a cell of ISIS referred to as “ISIS-Khorasan” is operating in the Kaluga region of the Russian Federation.
The cell allegedly aims to establish a caliphate across Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
FSB said the group “was preparing to attack the congregants of a synagogue using firearms” until they “neutralized” them. “Firearms, ammunition, as well as components for the manufacture of an improvised explosive device were found and seized,” they added.
UPDATE (6:52 PM EST): At least one official with the United States government told The New York Times that ISIS was behind the attack.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics, economics, and culture for Valuetainment. Follow Shane on X (Twitter).
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