Over 40 people have been killed after gunmen burst into a concert hall in Moscow and opened fire at the crowd.
The gunmen, wearing combat fatigues, also caused a huge blaze at the Crocus City Hall.
The shooting appeared to have begun at a concert of the band “Picnic”.
“Suddenly there were bangs behind us – shots. A burst of firing – I do not know what,” one witness who asked not to be named told Reuters.
“A stampede began, everyone ran to the escalator,” the witness said. “Everyone was screaming, everyone was running.”
The shooting began days after President Vladimir Putin was re-elected for a new six-year term and as Russia is prosecuting a war with Ukraine.
State news agency TASS quoting Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying 40 people had been killed and more than 100 wounded.
The FSB said all necessary measures were being taken.
It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were. Russian news agencies said 70 ambulance crews had been sent to the scene.
“A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. “I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims.”
Russia’s foreign ministry said it was a “bloody terrorist attack”.
“The entire world community is obliged to condemn this monstrous crime,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “All efforts are being thrown at saving people.”