The U.S. embassy in Russia issued a warning of an impending extremist attack in Moscow, shortly after Russian security services announced the prevention of a planned shooting at a synagogue by a cell linked to the Afghan branch of Islamic State.
Urging American citizens to leave Russia immediately, the embassy advised caution, particularly avoiding large gatherings such as concerts.
The embassy’s alert came following Russia’s Federal Security Service’s disclosure of thwarting an assault on a synagogue in Moscow by a militant Sunni Muslim group associated with Islamic State. The nature of the embassy’s warning and the security service’s announcement remained unclear whether they were connected.
The conflict in Ukraine has severely strained Russia’s relations with the West, with the Kremlin accusing the U.S. of supporting Ukraine with financial aid, weaponry, and intelligence, thereby opposing Russia.
According to the Federal Security Service, the Islamic State cell operated in Russia’s Kaluga region as part of ISIS-Khorasan, seeking to establish a caliphate across several countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.
The group, notorious for its extreme brutality, was poised to attack synagogue congregants with firearms, prompting intervention by Russian special forces, resulting in the neutralization of the militants.
