Tipsheet

We Have a Literal Bloodbath in Moscow Right Now

Matt Vespa
Matt Vespa  |  March 22, 2024 5:00 PM

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): 

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.

Here's a clip of what allegedly happened inside the concert hall [ WARNING: Some images may be disturbing]:

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.

UPDATE III: The US State Department warned of possible terror attacks in Moscow two weeks ago and urged citizens to avoid large gatherings.

UPDATE IV: Death toll reportedly rises to 150.

Washington Post has the death toll sitting at 133 for now:

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his nation in a televised address Saturday that 11 people had been detained in connection with Friday’s deadly attack on a popular Moscow concert venue, including the four gunmen who had opened fire, killing at least 133.

Putin claimed the assailants had been trying to escape via Ukraine, “where according to preliminary data, a window for them to cross the state border was prepared by the Ukrainian side.” Ukrainian officials have denied any involvement.

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.