Russian security service detains a minor over Tsaritsyno park attack threat after US warning

A warning from the US Embassy

The US Embassy in Moscow alerted Russian authorities on Saturday, 31 October, to what it described as a credible threat of a mass-casualty event at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, a historic palace and park complex in southern Moscow. In a security alert posted on X, the embassy said the threat concerned 31 October and urged US citizens to avoid the site and large crowds. It told people to stay alert, carry proper identification, keep their phones charged and follow local media. The Baza Telegram channel, which is seen as having close ties to the police, reported that the park had closed on Saturday and that visitors were only allowed to leave while law enforcement officers were on site. Notícias ao Minuto puts the museum reserve at more than 405 hectares.

Detention announced on Sunday

On Sunday, 1 November, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had detained a minor, a Russian citizen, on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack on the park. Interfax, citing the FSB statement, reported the detention. The agency said it had worked with the Russian National Guard, the Interior Ministry and the Investigative Committee after receiving the message from the US Embassy. According to the FSB, the teenage boy had posted photos on TikTok showing him in a military uniform and tactical gear, with a balaclava, cap, glasses and headphones, holding an object resembling an automatic weapon, under the caption 'I found a place'. Officers searched his home and seized the equipment and accessories shown in the video. His phone contained, in the FSB's account, numerous internet searches about terrorist attacks and mass killings, and he had subscribed to a neo-Nazi channel on Telegram. Investigators are now deciding which preventive measure to apply to him. In its statement, the FSB thanked the United States for the tip.

“We are grateful to the American side for providing the information.”

Park closed and events cancelled

The FSB said the cultural activities planned for the museum reserve had been called off and that security had been reinforced in the area. The service had said on 31 October that it had received information from the US through established communication channels and was taking the necessary measures. Notícias ao Minuto reports that authorities later closed the park. The sequence of the two dated announcements is shown below.

Earlier attacks cited by LBC

LBC recalls that the US Embassy issued a similar warning before the April 2024 attack on Crocus City Hall on the edge of Moscow. The outlet gives two death tolls for that attack, over 130 and at least 154, and says the assailants were from ISIS-K, a splinter group of the main organisation. It also cites the 2002 Nord Ost theatre siege, in which it says 132 hostages and 40 Chechen hostage-takers died after a mishandled Russian rescue response.