(IntegrityPress.org) – Americans in Moscow are getting an additional warning that the city is not safe. The U.S. embassy issued an alert on Thursday, March 7 after Russian authorities killed Islamic extremists during a raid near the Russian capital. The alert warned people to avoid large gatherings, including religious services or concert venues.
The FSB (Russia’s federal security service) attempted to arrest an Islamic State (ISIS) cell in Kaluga, a suburb to the southwest of Moscow. They said the organization was planning to launch a terror attack against a synagogue in the capital. During the raid, the terrorists engaged in a firefight, resulting in the Russians killing them all. Video of the aftermath was posted online.
It’s unclear if the incident was related to the alert, but the timing is suggestive. The alert said folks should avoid large gatherings of people and maintain vigilance when out in public. It also encouraged folks to monitor local media.
Both American and British authorities issued similar warnings about the potential for a terror attack in Moscow. Russian authorities have not issued any warnings. Putin’s apologists on Telegram have argued that the warnings seem “like a threat,” while suggesting that any large-scale acts of terror are “directly or indirectly” related to the CIA or its proxies.
There were several events planned in Moscow for Friday, March 8 including International Women’s Day celebrations and a performance by musician SHAMAN. American and British authorities have previously warned against travel to Russia, citing the ongoing war, as well as the potential for Russia to charge Americans with crimes.
Ksenia Khavana was arrested in Russia on charges that she raised money for Ukraine. The dual Russian-American citizen traveled to Russia to visit family and was arrested last month. The American State Department warned dual citizens that Russia does not respect status as such and will treat anyone with a Russian passport as one of their citizens.
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