US Embassy Warns of Potential ‘Mass Casualty Event’ in Moscow

October 31, 2026 at 9:50 PM
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MOSCOW: The United States Embassy in Moscow on Saturday warned of a “credible threat of a mass casualty event” at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, a palace museum and park in the Russian capital, urging people to avoid the area.

“The US 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, Moscow, Russia 11569,” it said.

The US Embassy said the US government is coordinating with Russian authorities in response to the threat. “The US government is coordinating with appropriate Russian authorities on a response,” the statement said.

The embassy urged people to avoid the museum, remain alert, and avoid crowds to ensure personal safety.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) told state news agency TASS that it had received information from US partners about preparations for a potential “terrorist attack” in Moscow and that appropriate measures were being taken.

“We have received information from US partners regarding plans for a terrorist attack in Moscow. We are taking appropriate action,” the FSB told state media.

The Tsaritsyno museum is an imperial palace and park complex in southern Moscow that is a popular place to visit, especially on weekends.

Russian Telegram channel Baza said the park was now closed and “open only for exits”. “Law enforcement officers are on the premises,” it reported.

The Tsaritsyno ​Museum Reserve has been temporarily closed and access to the park is currently restricted, the RIA news agency ​reported, ​citing Russian ⁠law enforcement agencies.

In March 2024, the US warned Moscow of an impending terrorist threat ahead of the March 22 Crocus City Hall attack, which left 145 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

At the time, Russian spy chief Sergei Naryshkin called the information “too general.”

“The Federal Security Service (FSB) received some information from the US intelligence services that such a thing was unfortunately possible. But as our Russian colleagues said, the information was too general and did not allow us to fully identify those who committed this terrible crime,” he said.

Founded in 1775 as a summer home for Russia’s Catherine II, the Tsaritsyno Museum is now a popular tourist attraction in Russia’s capital.

The museum itself attracted more than two million visitors in 2022, Moscow’s deputy mayor Natalya Sergunina said in 2023. The surrounding grounds, enjoyed by Moscow’s local citizens for physical activity and dog walking, see even more foot traffic, according to The Art Newspaper.

The US Embassy’s alert also included a warning to people in the Moscow area to keep cell phones and other batteries charged, stay aware of surroundings, and to review a personal security plan.

The alert was issued as tensions in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate.

On Friday, Ukraine struck an oil refinery in southern Russia, ending a two-week pause on energy infrastructure attacks brokered by US President Donald Trump between the warring nations.

The previous day, Russian drone and missile strikes in Ukraine killed at least 27 people, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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