23 March 2024 , 14:11
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Watch The Sun’s Foreign Editor Nick Parker explain the horrific events last night in Moscow
Vladimir Putin rubbished warnings from the US and UK about an "imminent" terror attack just three days before the Moscow massacre.
Russia is in mourning after more than 100 people - including children - were slaughtered in an ISIS assault on a packed concert at the Crocus City Hall.
US and UK officials had issued a warning to Putin’s government weeks ago about the threat of a possible attack on Russia’s capital - urging their own citizens to avoid mass gatherings.
But just days ago, Putin brazenly rubbished the claims - insisting they were "blackmail" and "provocative".
The massacre at the concert comes just weeks after Putin secured another term as president in a "sham" election - boasting he won 87 per cent of the vote.
He often portrays himself as a strongman leader and the protector of Russia - an image which may now be shaken after the country’s worst terror attack in 20 years.
Days before the massacre, Putin was attempting to dismiss the warning issued by the West.
He said: "I’ll remind you of recent, let’s say directly, provocative statements of certain official Western structures about potential terror attacks in Russia.
"All of this looks like obvious blackmail and an attempt to intimidate, destabilise our country."
And then some 72 hours later, the bloody attack was unleashed on concertgoers gathered at the venue just outside Moscow.
US officials have said they believe ISIS-K - a brutal Afghanistan-based splinter cell of the terror group - is behind the operation.
The jihadis were also quick to claim responsibility for the bloodshed on Telegram.
Russia has not outright blamed anyone yet - but pro-Putin officials have sought to attempt to pin blame on Ukraine.
Ukraine strongly denies any involvement in the massacre.
Masked men in camouflage gear wielding automatic weapons stormed the Crocus City Hall last night - opening fire and hurling explosives into a crowd.