US Secret Service they warned on the seventh of March before the terrorist attack in Moscow. At that time, they urged their citizens to avoid mass events in the capital of Russia.
Their fears were realized two weeks later when a mass shooting occurred in Krasnogarsk, on the northwestern outskirts of Moscow. On Friday evening, before the performance of the famous rock band Piknik, gunmen broke into the building and started shooting.
At the same time, a fire broke out in Crocus City Hall. According to official reports, at least 62 people died on the spot, and at least a hundred others were injured.
The number of victims will most likely increase, as the hall had a capacity of 9,500 people, according to Russian media. According to unconfirmed reports, there were up to 6,200 people in it at the time of the attack.
Russia’s FSB has already stated that security forces are taking “all necessary measures”. The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, speaks of a “huge tragedy” and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a “bloody terrorist attack”.
The Kremlin has not yet made an official statement. In recent weeks, Vladimir Putin downplayed US warnings against a terrorist attack and described them as blackmail.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after 11 p.m., according to Reuters and CNN. Attack was allegedly specifically aimed at Christians.
The Islamic State also claimed responsibility for the attack, according to US intelligence sources, CBS News reports, citing an unnamed US official. At the same time, he said that the Americans had provided intelligence to Russia about a possible attack. According to the New York Times, the Americans are convinced that the Islamic State is really behind the attack.
Like well-trained warriors
Footage from the scene shows the music hall in flames and panicked people running away from the attackers. The BBC writes that there were at least three shooters, according to the source of the Mash telegram channel, there were even at least five of them.
The witness described them as bearded men who acted like
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