Even as Moscow is reeling from a deadly attack at a concert hall, it has come to light that the United States had warned Russia about the possibility of a terrorist attack a few weeks ago.
"Earlier this month, the US government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow – potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts - which prompted the State Department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia," said Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.
"The US government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding duty to warn policy."
Gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, leaving more than 60 dead and over 100 injured. The toll made it one of the worst attacks on Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege, when Islamist militants tookmore than 1,000 people hostage, including hundreds of children.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Amaq agency said on Telegram.
"We did warn the Russians appropriately," one of the US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, was reported as saying by Reuters. The US embassy in Russia warned on March 8 that "extremists" had imminent plans for an attack in Moscow, hours after Russian security services said they had foiled a planned shooting at a synagogue by a cell of Islamic State.
The embassy gave no further details about the nature of the threat, but said people should avoid concerts and crowds and be aware of their surroundings.
Russia is yet to confirm that the US warned them.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has worsened the relations between Kremlin and Washington.
