Screenshot, X @nexta_tv, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

An outbreak of shooting followed by an explosion was reported on Friday evening at the Crocus City Hall in Russian Federation's Moscow Oblast.

The incident led to a significant portion of the building being consumed by fire, with the roof experiencing partial collapse, detailed by the Russian news agency Interfax.

In response to the crisis at Crocus City Hall, public events in the nearby district of Podolsk were canceled, as stated by the district head.

The severity of the situation prompted the dispatch of over 70 ambulance teams to the scene, a measure reported by the governor of the Moscow region.

Initial reports from RIA Novosti, a state news outlet, indicated that several assailants entered the concert hall and commenced firing with automatic weapons. Following this, it was reported that an explosive device, possibly a grenade or incendiary bomb, was detonated, igniting a blaze within the hall.

Amid the chaos, there has been no official confirmation of casualties or injuries from the authorities. Meanwhile, the White House, through National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby, acknowledged awareness of the Moscow incident, albeit with limited information. Kirby expressed profound concern over the harrowing images emerging from the scene and extended thoughts to the victims of this “terrible, terrible shooting attack.”

In light of the violence, Kirby underscored the State Department's advisory for all Americans in Moscow to steer clear of large gatherings. This caution follows a specific warning issued by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on March 7, alerting U.S. citizens to the “imminent plans” of extremists targeting large-scale events in the city.

This same advisory has become newly controversial in light of the attack, with critics speculating about potential US involvement in the incident, with the warning serving as circumstantial evidence. The Russian government has characterized the incident as a terrorist attack.