The United States Embassy in Moscow warned on Saturday, October 31, that it was aware of a credible threat of a mass-casualty event at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve in Moscow, and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) later confirmed it had received information from the United States about preparations for a terrorist attack in the Russian capital.
No attack and no casualties were reported in connection with the warning in the sources available at the time of writing. No group or individual has been publicly named as being behind the alleged plot, and the details of the threat have not been disclosed.
The embassy’s security alert said it was aware of a credible threat of a mass-casualty event on October 31 at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, at Dolskaya Ulitsa 1 in Moscow. It urged American citizens to avoid the area, stay alert and avoid crowds, and said the US government was coordinating with Russian authorities on a response.
Tsaritsyno is a palace museum and park complex in southern Moscow. Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing law-enforcement agencies, reported that the park had been temporarily closed and access restricted. A Russian Telegram channel reportedly linked to law enforcement said the park was open only for exits, with law-enforcement officers on site.
The FSB said it had received information from the United States through partner channels regarding the preparation of a terrorist attack in Moscow and that appropriate measures were being taken. Its statement, carried by RIA Novosti and TASS, said ‘relevant work is being carried out’ but did not disclose further details.
Importantly, the FSB did not publicly name Tsaritsyno as the intended target, did not say when or where an attack was expected, and did not report any arrests. FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov later described the American information as being of a general nature, according to Interfax.
Readers should therefore treat two things as separate: the embassy’s specific warning about Tsaritsyno on October 31, and the FSB’s broader confirmation that it received US information about an attack being prepared in Moscow. The FSB has not publicly confirmed that its information concerns Tsaritsyno specifically.
The alert recalls a warning the US Embassy issued on March 7, 2024, that extremists had imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts. Two weeks later, an ISIS-K attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow killed more than 100 people. That history does not prove anything about the current threat, and no attack has been reported this time.
What is still unknown: The identity of any alleged plotters, the nature of the planned attack, whether any suspects have been detained, and whether the threat has now passed all remain unconfirmed in public sources. This article reports the warning and the official responses only.
Related coverage: Related Moscow security coverage.
Sources
- The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russias-fsb-says-us-warned-russia-of-possible-moscow-attack/article71650748.ece
- Times Now: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/europe/fresh-moscow-terror-alert-fsb-acknowledges-us-warning-after-embassy-issues-security-advisory-article-156442896/amp
- Bangkok Post (AFP): https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3346075/russia-says-responding-to-us-report-of-planned-attack-on-moscow
- Al Mayadeen English: https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/fsb-confirms-us-tip-on-planned-terror-attack-in-moscow
FAQ
What did the US Embassy warn about? A credible threat of a mass-casualty event on October 31 at Moscow’s Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve.
Did Russia confirm the warning? The FSB confirmed receiving US information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow, but did not name Tsaritsyno as the target.
Was there an attack? No attack or casualties linked to the warning were reported in the sources available at the time of writing.
