At least a dozen people have been killed and scores more wounded in what authorities are describing as the worst terror attack to strike Russia in years. Unofficial reports suggest the assailants, clad in combat fatigues, unleashed a barrage of gunfire and explosives within the confines of a bustling concert hall in Moscow.

Photos capturing the scene depict the Crocus City Music Hall engulfed in flames, while harrowing videos circulating online reveal the sheer terror that unfolded within. Gunmen, numbering at least four, were seen brandishing automatic weapons, firing indiscriminately as chaos erupted and concert-goers fled for their lives.

In one particularly chilling video, three assailants clad in fatigues mercilessly fired at close range into the lobby of the concert hall, where bodies lay strewn. The attackers, seemingly intent on inflicting maximum harm, also detonated explosives, amplifying the horror as the cacophony of blasts reverberated throughout the venue.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin lamented the unfolding tragedy, labeling it a “great tragedy” as emergency services scrambled to respond. Reports indicate that up to five individuals participated in the assault, with riot police units swiftly deployed to aid in evacuation efforts.

This brazen attack bears stark resemblance to some of Europe’s most infamous terrorist atrocities, reminiscent of the Bataclan massacre in Paris in 2015 and the Nord Ost siege in Moscow in 2002. The toll from this latest assault remains uncertain, with conflicting reports suggesting casualties could be as high as 40 dead and over 100 injured.

Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the assailants, describing them as “bearded” and “trained fighters.” Armed with AKM assault rifles and potentially carrying molotov cocktails, the attackers executed their assault with chilling precision, swiftly overpowering security personnel and barricading entrances.

Speculation abounds regarding the motive behind the attack, with recent raids on armed Islamist militants in Ingushetia and warnings from Western nations adding to the climate of unease. Just days prior, the United States and its allies had issued alerts cautioning against large public gatherings in Moscow, citing imminent threats of extremism.

The timing of these warnings raises questions about whether the authorities had prior intelligence on the looming danger. However, it remains unclear if this assault was the same incident referenced in the earlier advisories.