Photo: Tsaritsyno
The US Embassy in Russia warned on Saturday, October 31, of a potential “mass-casualty incident” at the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve in Moscow.
The embassy said it had information indicating a credible threat of an incident that day. It added that the US government was coordinating its response with the relevant Russian authorities.
The embassy advised US citizens to avoid visiting the museum, stay away from the area and avoid large gatherings.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) told TASS that it had received information from the US side through partner channels about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow. The agency said that “appropriate work is underway.”
Meanwhile, museum staff told Russian media outlets that the site had been closed for “technical reasons.”
The museum is closed, and police officers are at the scene. Videos posted online show visitors being evacuated.
According to the Baza Telegram channel, the museum is expected to remain closed for the next two days.
Previous US warning before the Crocus City Hall attack
In 2024, the US warned Moscow about the risk of a terrorist attack shortly before gunmen opened fire on concertgoers at Crocus City Hall near Moscow during a performance by the band Picnic.
The attack took place on March 22, setting the concert venue on fire. Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin said Moscow had taken “appropriate measures to prevent” the attack in response to information from US intelligence.
However, footage from the scene showed that the attackers encountered little resistance. Special forces arrived about an hour after the shooting began and then waited more than 30 minutes before entering the building, by which time the attackers had fled.
According to official figures, 151 people were killed in the attack.
The day after the shooting, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of involvement. The Islamic State organization claimed responsibility for the attack.
