Chaos erupted at a crowded concert hall in the outskirts of Moscow as multiple gunmen stormed in and unleashed a hail of bullets on attendees, causing numerous injuries and igniting a massive fire in what appears to be a terrorist attack following recent political events in the country.
With no immediate claims of responsibility, this incident marks the most severe act of terror in Russia in twenty years, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Moscow's Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, has labeled the attack as a "major tragedy."
The Federal Security Service, Russia's top domestic security agency, has confirmed the presence of both fatalities and injuries, although specific figures have not been disclosed.
A group of men wearing combat fatigues stormed into the concert hall and opened fire on the attendees, according to the prosecutor's office.
Disturbing footage shared by Russian media and Telegram channels captured prolonged gunfire inside the venue. One video showed armed individuals moving through the mall, while another depicted a man claiming the attackers had set the auditorium ablaze amidst the sound of continuous gunshots in the background.
Additional clips revealed up to four assailants, armed with assault rifles and donning caps, mercilessly shooting at terrified individuals at close range.
Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, announced his imminent arrival at the scene and the establishment of a task force to address the situation. Further details were not immediately provided.
Authorities in Russia announced heightened security measures at Moscow's airports and train stations, with the mayor of Moscow cancelling all planned mass gatherings for the weekend.
White House National Security Advisor John Kirby expressed his shock at the distressing images, stating on Friday that he was unable to comment on specific details but found the scenes "horrible" and "difficult to watch."
"Our hearts go out to the victims of this tragic shooting incident," Kirby expressed. "There are individuals who are still unaware of what has happened, including parents, siblings, and children. Today will be a difficult day for many."
The attack came after a recent advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow advising Americans to steer clear of crowded areas in the Russian capital due to a potential threat, a caution that was echoed by several other Western embassies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who secured another six-year term in the presidential election held on March 15-17 amidst a crackdown on dissent, criticized the Western alerts earlier this week, labeling them as efforts to instill fear in the Russian population.
