• Gunmen stormed a concert hall in Moscow on Friday, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100.
• Earlier this month, the US embassy issued a security alert warning of a potential terror attack.
• Just days ago, Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea as “blackmail” from the West.

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Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning about a potential terror attack in Moscow and urged people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of surroundings.

“The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the March 7 security alert said.

Putin addressed the warnings a couple weeks later, criticizing the warning three days ago as “provocative.”

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“All this resembles outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society,” Putin said, according to state media reporting on his remarks.

The US embassy issued another alert on Friday saying it was “aware” of the attack and urged Americans to avoid the area.