Putin wishes ‘speedy recovery’ to victims of Moscow shooting – as it happened

The roof of Crocus City Hall where gunfire and flames were heard and seen on Friday night is collapsing, RIA reports.

Here are videos emerging through social media:

Here is a map of Crocus City Hall which is located about 20km from Moscow’s Red Square:

Here are some images coming through the newswires in Moscow where the city is on high alert following reported shooting attacks at a concert venue on Friday night:

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A helicopter has been called in to extinguish the fires at Crocus City Hall following the gun attacks, TASS reports.

Images and videos on social media appeared to show other helicopters and multiple ambulances near the venue:

Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, has called on the international community to condemn the “monstrous crime” following the gun attacks at a concert hall near Moscow, Reuters reports.

Meanwhile, the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has issued a statement on the attacks, saying: “I strongly condemn such acts of violence, brutality and recklessness against civilians.”

22 Mar 202414.48 EDT

Julian Borger

John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, told reporters:

There’s no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting … We’re taking a look at it, but I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”

In response to whether this is a sign of cracks in Vladimir Putin’s regime, Kirby said:

There are people in Moscow and in Russia that object to the way Mr Putin is governing the country, but I don’t think we, at this early hour, can make a link between the shopping mall attack and political motivations. I think … we just need more time and we need to learn more information.”

Here are the latest updates coming through Reuters on the attacks:

• A second blast was reported at Crocus City Hall near Moscow, IFX reports.

• Moscow has cancelled all the weekend’s mass gatherings, according to its mayor.

• The first wounded victims are already in hospitals across Moscow, IFX reports.

• Security measures have been strengthened at Moscow railway stations, TASS reports.

22 Mar 202414.37 EDT

Andrew Roth

At least a dozen people have been killed and many more wounded according to unofficial reports in the worst terror attack in Russia in years, as gunmen in combat fatigues opened fire and detonated explosives in a big concert hall in Moscow.

Photos showed the Crocus City Music Hall engulfed in flames as videos emerged from the concert hall attack, showing at least four gunmen opening fire from automatic weapons as panicked Russians fled for their lives.

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In one video, three men in fatigues carrying rifles fired at point blank range into bodies strewn about the lobby of the concert hall. The attackers also apparently detonated explosives, as the sounds of blasts could be heard in other videos from the attack.

The attacks come just days after the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert to US citizens.

The embassy also said that it is “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts”.

Actions that US citizens have been encouraged to take include avoiding large crowds, monitoring local media for updates and being aware of surroundings.

The embassy has also listed the following contact details for assistance:

• US embassy Moscow, Russian Federation
  US citizens with emergencies, please call +7 (495) 728-5577
  Outside of office hours, contact +7 (495) 728-5000
  For routine American Citizen Services questions, please email: MoscowACS@state.govU.S. Embassy Russia website

• Department of State – Consular Affairs
  888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

Moscow has suffered a major terrorist attack after several gunmen dressed in camouflage fired on people at the Crocus City Hall music venue on the outskirts of the city on Friday evening.

Here is what we know so far:

• Between two and five gunmen were involved in the attack, Russian media reports. Footage showed people being shot in the foyer in a rampage-style atrocity.

• The attackers also used explosives that started a large fire, state media reported. The fire has engulfed a third of the concert venue building and the roof of the building is almost completely engulfed in flames, Tass reported. Large plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky.

• Early reports put the death toll at 14.

• Video footage published on Russian social media channels showed a large crowd of concertgoers attempting to flee the hall as numerous loud gunshots could be heard.

• Special units of Russia’s national guard have arrived on the scene and more than 50 ambulance crews have been sent.