UPDATE: US Officials believe ISIS was responsible for the attack (via NYT):
A branch of the Islamic State claimed responsibility on Friday for the attack in Moscow that killed at least 40 people and injured about 100 others, and U.S. officials confirmed the claim shortly afterward.
The United States collected intelligence in March that Islamic State-Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, the branch of the group based in Afghanistan, had been planning an attack on Moscow, according to officials. ISIS members have been active in Russia, one U.S. official said.
After a period of relative quiet, the Islamic State has been trying to increase its external attacks, according to U.S. counterterrorism officials. Most of those plots in Europe have been thwarted, prompting assessments that the group had diminished capabilities.
“ISIS-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years,” frequently criticizing President Vladimir V. Putin in its propaganda, said Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a security consulting firm based in New York. “ISIS-K accuses the Kremlin of having Muslim blood in its hands, referencing Moscow’s interventions in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria.”
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We’ll be updating as developments come through, but there appears to have been a massive terror attack in Moscow that’s left dozens of people dead at a popular concert venue. Several gunmen dressed in camouflage entered the location and opened fire. At some point, one of the terrorists hurled a grenade or set off a bomb that ignited a fire. It was later determined that ISIS operatives executed the attack, though we'll stand by on that in case new details emerge. It's hard to trust anything from a security state (via WaPo):
The concert venue in Moscow is completely on fire. Terrorists are believed to still be inside, along with at least 100 civilians. pic.twitter.com/IAV7dGMmig
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2024
The roof of Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow is starting to collapse from the intense flames, which is making it difficult for rescue workers to locate and rescue anyone still trapped inside. Firefighters managed to rescue over a hundred people from the basement. pic.twitter.com/8sgVgkOEZw
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2024
An eyewitness at the Crocus City Hall concert venue told Russia's Mash outlet: "At least five people. They act like prepared and trained militants. As they entered the building,, the guards and people standing at the doors were killed. Then the main entrance was blocked."
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2024
"The… pic.twitter.com/p0hmrAYoc7
Several gunmen opened fire Friday night at Crocus City Hall, a popular concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, Russian state news agencies reported. Dozens of people were reported injured or killed and the building was on fire.
“People in camouflage, at least three, burst into the ground floor of the Crocus City Hall and opened fire from automatic weapons. There are definitely wounded,” state news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing its correspondent on-site.
“After that they threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire,” RIA Novosti added. “The people in the hall lay down on the floor to escape the shooting, and stayed there for 15-20 minutes, after which they began to crawl out. Many managed to get out.”
[…]
At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, the Tass news agency reported, citing the press office of the Federal Security Service or FSB.
Horrific videos circulating online from the attack in Moscow. Multiple gunmen shooting people at point-blank range. Part of the venue is on fire right now. Dozens killed. The scene is still active.
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) March 22, 2024
Here's a clip of what allegedly happened inside the concert hall [ WARNING: Some images may be disturbing]:
Horrific scenes in Moscow as terrorists open fire on civilians at a packed concert hall in a Bataclan-style massacre. pic.twitter.com/2tFGGJrq7K
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2024
As of now, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The band Picnic was set to start their set when the gunman began killing bystanders. These updates come from Russian state media, so stand by for any corrections and updates.
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UPDATE II: St. Petersburg shopping center is being evacuated. We'll keep you posted.
Russian state media reports that a shopping center in St. Petersburg is now being evacuated. Unsure if it's out of an abundance of caution or if there's an actual threat. pic.twitter.com/lVXvZV4n3m
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2024
UPDATE III: The US State Department warned of possible terror attacks in Moscow two weeks ago and urged citizens to avoid large gatherings.
Two weeks ago, the US State Department released an advisory warning US citizens to avoid large gatherings in Moscow, based on reports that extremists had plans to target large gatherings, including concerts. pic.twitter.com/hqC4ZecgvX
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2024
UPDATE IV: Death toll reportedly rises to 150.
BREAKING: At least 150 people killed in Moscow attack, according to 112 news channel pic.twitter.com/FEHAfjiQUS
— BNO News (@BNONews) March 23, 2024
Washington Post has the death toll sitting at 133 for now:
Late Friday, gunmen armed with automatic weapons attacked the Crocus City Hall — a massive shopping and entertainment venue on the outskirts of Moscow — and set the concert hall alight,,, following U.S. government warnings this month about a “planned terrorist attack” in the Russian capital.
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