• Gunmen stormed a concert hall in Moscow on Friday, killing 40 people and injuring more than 100.
    • Earlier this month, the US embassy issued a security alert warning of a potential terror attack.
    • Just days ago, Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea as “blackmail” from the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed US warnings about a potential terror incident in Moscow just days before gunmen attacked a concert hall in the city on Friday.

At least 40 people are dead and more than 100 are injured after multiple armed individuals stormed the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, state-run news agency TASS reported, citing Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, which called the incident a “terrorist attack.”

Graphic videos posted to social media are purporting to show the attack unfolding. In some of the footage, gunshots and screams of concertgoers can be heard.

According to Russian state media, the unidentified gunmen were armed with assault rifles and opened fire in the lobby of the building before moving into the main concern hall, where a band was scheduled to perform. It added that an explosion inside the venue sparked the fire, which has engulfed at least a third of the building and spread to the roof.

  • scarabic@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    56
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    7 months ago

    It’s kind of amazing to me that we gave this warning. To even know something to warn about is a feat of intelligence, amazing on its own. And it’s a generous gesture as Russia is no friend (though saving innocent people is clearly the right move).

    For Putin’s part, to ignore such a warning is one thing. But to spit on it and call it blackmail…

    Hey Putin. Yeah you. Fuck you, buddy.

      • khannie@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        13
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        7 months ago

        Yeah it’s clear from the number of killed Russian generals in precision strikes in Ukraine that Western intel capability far exceeds Russia’s but having been given the heads up, to then ignore it and for the perpetrators to get away is an incredibly weak look for someone who wants to be seen as a strong man.

      • scarabic@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        7 months ago

        Yeah Russia are the only ones who know if they already knew on their own. If they didn’t they feel like fools right now.

    • MrSpArkle@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      7 months ago

      It may well have been blackmail. We probably offered more precise intelligence if they’d offer some concessions on their invasion. Although I really wouldn’t call it blackmail.

  • gregorum@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    35
    ·
    edit-2
    7 months ago

    Looks like Putin forgot he had an ISIS problem in his back yard.

    Now it’s in his living room.

    • kamenLady.@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      17
      ·
      edit-2
      7 months ago

      They are so busy going after everyone with a flower bouquet within a radius of 200 feet surrounding any funeral activity where his victims are directly involved, that one could think that the people mourning the death of his enemies pose a much higher threat to russia.

      But then, he is not really concerned about the Russian population.

      When you assume, he’s exclusively concerned with his personal safety, then it makes sense.

      Friends and family of the people he murdered, are a higher threat to him personally, than real terrorists killing some civilians down the street.

      • gregorum@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        8
        ·
        7 months ago

        I think it has more to do with his massively re-prioritized military. Rather than fighting ISIS, he’s shifted all of his resources to fighting Ukraine, which was only supposed to take a few days or weeks. He was able to deal with keeping the terrorists at bay and bottled up in Syria, but, with his military committed in Ukraine, and with his security apparatus, as you mentioned, otherwise engaged with the Navaly bullshit and Ukrainian drone attacks, he’s overwhelmed.

  • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    31
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    7 months ago

    Putin wants the attacks so he can justify further militarizing his country.

  • RamblingPanda@lemmynsfw.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    7 months ago

    “Vlad, just to let you know: we think there’s a terrorist attack imminent”

    “LOL, I know. I organized it myself. Shut up, I need to make my people back harsh reactions.”

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    7 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed US warnings about a potential terror incident in Moscow just days before gunmen attacked a concert hall in the city on Friday.

    At least 40 people are dead and more than 100 are injured after multiple armed individuals stormed the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, state-run news agency TASS reported, citing Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, which called the incident a “terrorist attack.”

    According to Russian state media, the unidentified gunmen were armed with assault rifles and opened fire in the lobby of the building before moving into the main concern hall, where a band was scheduled to perform.

    Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning about a potential terror attack in Moscow and urged people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of surroundings.

    Though concerts were mentioned as a potential target in the US security alert, it is unclear at this time if Friday’s attack is related to the threats that Washington was tracking.

    “We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.


    The original article contains 404 words, the summary contains 193 words. Saved 52%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!