Russian President Vladimir Putin brushed off U.S. warnings of extremist attacks in Moscow, days before gunmen carried out a rampage at a Moscow concert hall that left at least 137 people dead last week.
The U.S. Embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning on March 7 that “extremists” are planning an attack in Moscow and advised individuals to avoid large gatherings over the next two days.
Putin later called the embassy’s alerts “provocative” and “outright blackmail,” intended to damage Russian society.
“I would also like to recall the recent provocative statements by a number of official Western structures regarding potential terrorist attacks in Russia,” Putin said during a March 19 meeting of the Federal Security Board, per a Kremlin transcript.
“All these actions resemble outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society. You are well aware of them, so I will not go into details at this point.”
Last Friday — three days after the meeting — multiple gunmen opened fire at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, killing at least 137 people and wounding more than 180 others. The Islamic State group quickly claimed responsibility for the shooting.
The New York Times reported the U.S. collected intelligence that the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate was planning an attack on Moscow, citing a U.S. official. U.S. counterterrorism officials told The Times the Islamic State had been wanting to ramp up attacks.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirmed the Islamic State was responsible for the attack, in a statement reported by the AP.
Four men have been charged in the attacks and appeared in a Moscow court Sunday night with signs of beatings. Two of the suspects accepted their guilt in the attack, though concerns were raised over if they were speaking freely, The Associated Press reported.
The four suspects were identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19, who are all charged with committing a terrorist attack resulting in the death of others, per the AP.