The United States alerted Moscow about ISIS militants’ intention to target Russia in the days leading up to the attack on Crocus City Hall, which claimed numerous lives.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack at the concert hall near Moscow on Friday. At least 133 people were killed and more than 140 injured in the incident, marking it as the worst terrorist attack on the Russian capital in decades.
Experts suggested that the extensive devastation, some of which was depicted in video footage acquired by CNN, with crowds seen seeking cover behind cushioned seats as gunshots reverberated throughout the expansive hall, would prove profoundly humiliating for the Russian leader.
This comes at a time when he had recently emphasized a narrative of national security, particularly following his victory in the meticulously controlled national election just a week prior.
Russian intelligence services were not only criticized for their failure to prevent the attack, but it was also noted that President Putin had disregarded warnings from the United States about extremists planning to target Moscow.
Earlier in the month, the US embassy in Russia had indicated that it was monitoring reports of imminent plans by extremists to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, advising US citizens to avoid such venues.
US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirmed that this information had been shared with Russian authorities as per the longstanding “duty to warn” policy.
However, in a speech on Tuesday, Putin condemned these American warnings as “provocative,” likening them to blackmail and an attempt to intimidate and destabilize Russian society.
Russian authorities reported several incidents related to ISIS within the past month, despite this stance.
