In Moscow, several people have been killed as gunmen entered Crocus City Hall, a huge concert hall on the western edge of the Russian capital.
Graphic footage from inside the hall showed gunmen in combat fatigues moving steadily through the venue, firing shots and leaving a trail of destruction. People were seen fleeing past dead bodies.
Videos circulated on social media showing plumes of black smoke over the hall, with reports that the mall was on fire. Russian sources said the assailants used explosives on the building.
Other videos show a number of bodies lying in blood outside the hall, although the footage was not immediately verifiable.
The unfolding incident comes after UK and US residents were warned not to travel to Russia earlier this month amid a warning that a terror attack was planned for the country’s capital.
Putin, who extended his grip on Russia for another six years in the March 15-17 presidential vote after a sweeping crackdown on dissent, earlier this week denounced the Western warnings as an attempt to intimidate Russians.
John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, advised, “There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting, but again, this just broke.”
Various speculators on social media suggest this is a false flag directed by Putin.