The U.S. Embassy in Russia warned of imminent plans by extremists to carry out an attack in Moscow two weeks before Fridays mass shooting and fire at a concert hall, but Russian President Vladimir Putin brushed off the warning as provocative fearmongering from the West.

The Embassy advised U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings over reports that extremists planned to target large events, including concerts. The warning, while issued March 7, was related to Friday nights attack, The New York Times reported , citing people briefed on the matter.

The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours, the alert read .