US Embassy warns of possible mass-casualty threat at Moscow's Tsaritsyno museum

On October 31 the US Embassy in Moscow warned of a credible threat of a mass-casualty event at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve in the south of the Russian capital.

"The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is aware of a credible threat of a mass casualty event TODAY October 31, at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve in Moscow at Dolskaya Ulitsa 1," the embassy said (Anadolu). The statement said the US government is coordinating with the appropriate Russian authorities on a response. It urged Americans to avoid the area, avoid crowds and remain alert.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had received information from the American side, "through partner channels," about preparations for a terrorist attack in Moscow and that "appropriate work is being carried out" (RIA Novosti). Law enforcement sources said the museum complex had been temporarily closed.

Life.ru reported that Rosgvardia, OMON riot police, canine units and a bomb-disposal team with a robot were deployed to Tsaritsyno. Traffic police set up checkpoints on the approach roads. The evacuation cut short an organ concert in the atrium of the Bread House about ten minutes before it ended. No date has been given for the complex to reopen.

As of 02:25 there were no official reports of an attack, injuries or arrests.

Tsaritsyno covers more than 405 hectares of neo-Gothic palaces, woodland, bridges and ponds and is a popular place for Muscovites to relax. In March 2024, a similar US Embassy warning came about two weeks before the attack on Crocus City Hall near Moscow, which killed 145 people. The Islamic State group claimed that attack (EFE).

Mongolian users shared the news on X.