raf voyager zz333

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• Defence and armed forces

Service Inquiry: incident involving Voyager ZZ333 on 9 February 2014

Final report of the Service Inquiry into the incident involving Voyager ZZ333 09 February 2014.

Final report: part 1.1 Covering note, part 1.2 Convening order and TORs, part 1.3. Narrative of events

PDF , 3.86 MB

Final report: part 1.4. Findings (part 1)

PDF , 4.63 MB

Final report: part 1.4. Findings (part 2)

PDF , 4.7 MB

Final report: part 1.4. Findings (part 3)

PDF , 3.89 MB

Final report part 1.5 Recommendations and part 1.6 Convening authority comments

PDF , 1.4 MB

Interim Service Inquiry report into the incident involving Voyager ZZ333 on 9 February 2014

PDF , 108 KB , 2 pages

A Service Inquiry was carried out into the incident involving Voyager ZZ333 on 9 February 2014. The final report has been published to inform the military chain of command and the public of the findings of the inquiry and its recommendations to prevent recurrence.

Added the final report.

First published.

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RAF Voyager ZZ333 Incident: Deadline for civil claims looms on 9 February 2017 as criminal proceedings due to start

The pilot responsible for a military aircraft plummeting 4,400 feet is to appear before a Court Martial next month for the criminal trial in the case against him. This incident, which occurred on 9 February 2014, left a great deal of passengers injured, with many now pursuing civil claims in the High Court .

The Incident

The Voyager Flight ZZ333 was transporting 189 passengers and nine crew members to Camp Bastion Airfield, Afghanistan from Brize Norton, following R and R over the Christmas period for those deployed to Afghanistan.

Whilst flying over the Black Sea, the aircraft all of a sudden nose dived 33,000 foot within 27 seconds. The aircraft dropped 4,440 foot in height, before the self-protection system initiated a recovery back towards control flight. The aircraft dropped at a maximum of 260 feet (80 metres) per second.

The resulting negative G forces were sufficient for almost all of the unrestrained passengers and crew to be thrown towards the ceiling. The co-pilot struck the cabin roof, but was able to re-enter the flight-deck through the open door. Many were convinced that the plane would continue to nosedive and crash and that they would all be killed. These are memories which continue to haunt many of those involved today.

Of the 189 passengers on board the flight, 33 were identified to have minor physical injuries on landing, but the more long-lasting effects have been shown to be psychological.

A team of mental health nurses from RAF Brize Norton were deployed to Incirkik, Turkey, together with Trauma Risk Management Practitioners (TRiM), to determine whether individuals were able to continue with their onward journey and deploy to Afghanistan. Many passengers were clearly distraught by the traumatic event, and were anxious about boarding another flight for fear that the same unfortunate event would occur again. A decision was made that those involved in the flight should return to the UK.  

See my colleague, Rhicha Kapila’s previous blog here , which comments in more detail on the specifics of the incident.

Criminal proceedings against the ‘Voyager’ pilot

The unnamed RAF pilot will face court-martial charges in February 2017 for negligently performing a duty, perjury, and making a false record , according to the Sunday Times – see their article of 14 August 2016 in which my colleague, Rhicha Kapila, comments.

The Service Inquiry Report into the incident, published in March 2015, will form the basis for the proceedings against him.

The Report established conclusive evidence that the pitch-down command was the result of the Captain’s personal digital SLR camera inadvertently hitting his side stick, causing a physical obstruction that jammed between the left armrest and the side-stick unit, when the Captain’s seat was motored forward. This caused the autopilot to disconnect and the aircraft to enter a dive. The Captain had been using his personal digital SLR camera on the flight deck during the flight, including just minutes before the incident occurred.

The report shows that the Captain had taken 77 photographs during the flight, potentially to help keep his mind active and alert. Whilst the presence of the camera is not specifically prohibited, the Voyager Operations Manual clearly states that lone flight crew must refrain from “non-relevant duties”. In this case, it proved to have far reaching consequences for many of those on board the flight.

In February 2011, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority warned crew members of this very possibility. It advised crew members to stow personal items while flying after a “pilot’s unsecured mobile phone migrated forward to a position where it jammed the rudder pedal controls under the cockpit floor area.”

The Final Inquiry Report also confirms that the Co-Pilot was absent from the flight-deck for a lengthy period of time, approximately 18 minutes before the incident occurred.

Compensation for those involved – deadline of 9 February 2017

Although no major injuries were identified at the time of the incident, the psychological impact for many of those involved has and continues to have far-reaching consequences. Some have even lost or are at threat of losing their hard-earned military careers as a result. For others, the prospect of promotion has been thwarted by a residual fear of flying, making deployment for many a frightening prospect.

Many of those involved in the incident have gone on to develop some of the more serious known psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as recognised phobic disorders relating to flying. Many have required specific treatment to attempt to alleviate the symptoms associated with these conditions, including flashbacks and panic attacks, and for most that treatment will be ongoing for months to come.

Those who suffered psychological but not physical injuries are entitled to pursue civil claims for those injuries against the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence owes a common law duty of care to their employees, and are vicariously liable for the negligent actions of the Captain of the Voyager aircraft.

I am a Senior Solicitor at Bolt Burdon Kemp and I am acting for a number of clients who were involved in this traumatic incident. Civil court proceedings must be issued within three years of the date of the incident, therefore by 9 February 2017. If you were injured in the incident and would like to pursue a claim, you are urged to contact myself on 020 7288 4821 or [email protected] or my colleague Rhicha Kapila on 020 7288 4845 or [email protected]  urgently before this deadline.

By Claire Withey

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Camera hitch led to RAF Voyager’s sudden grounding, says MAA report

An interim report by the UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA) has confirmed the obstruction of the digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera as a vital factor responsible for the incident that led to grounding of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Voyager transport aircraft fleet last month.

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An interim report by the UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA) has confirmed the obstruction of the digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera as a vital factor responsible for the incident that led to grounding of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Voyager transport aircraft fleet last month.

The Voyager ZZ333 plummeted 4,400ft in 27 seconds, registering a maximum rate-of-descent of 15,000ft/min, leaving some of the passengers with minor injuries, during a non-stop flight between RAF Brize Norton, UK, and Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, on 09 February.

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A total of nine crew members and 189 passengers were onboard the plane, which was subsequently diverted to Incirlik air base in Turkey, without further incident.

The report said the pitch down command was due to an inadvertent physical input to the Captain’s side-stick through a hitch in the form of a Digital SLR camera between the arm-rest and the side stick-unit.

"Analysis of the camera has confirmed that it was being used in the three minutes leading up to the event," the report noted.

"Furthermore, forensic analysis of damage to the body of the camera indicates that it experienced a significant compression against the base of the side-stick, consistent with having been jammed between the arm rest and the side-stick unit."

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Expressing confidence that the cause of the event was "human factors", the MAA, however, noted that the service inquiry will continue into the incident and "post-occurrence management of the event", to help identify any relevant lessons that may boost air safety.

The seven Voyager tanker transports have already resumed flying operations, soon after the temporary grounding order was lifted on 21 February.

A derivative of Airbus Military’s A330 MRTT aircraft, the Voyager is expected to assume majority of the UK’s military passenger transport and all in-flight refuelling duties, following retirement of RAF’s existing Lockheed TriStar planes later this month.

Image: The Voyager military transport aircraft of the UK Royal Air Force. Photo: courtesy of AirTanker.

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Government 'operationalising' Rwanda flights amid reports RAF Voyagers could be used

The government has not denied reports RAF jets could be used as part of the controversial deportation scheme after the Home Office failed to find an airline to charter the flights.

Political reporter @fayebrownSky

Wednesday 17 April 2024 15:21, UK

The government is "working on operationalising" Rwanda flights, a minister has said - amid reports RAF planes could be used for the controversial deportation scheme.

Laura Trott did not deny a story in The Times newspaper which said migrants might have to be flown to the east African nation on RAF Voyagers because the Home Office has failed to find an airline willing to take them.

Politics Live: Rwanda plan back in Commons after more Lords defeats

Asked by Sky News who is going to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda, the Treasury minister pointed to comments on Tuesday made by her colleague Laura Farris, a Home Office minister, who said the government is "operationally close to being ready".

Ms Trott added: "I think I'm going to say the same thing that she said yesterday to you, which is that we are working on operationalising this, but we're not going to go into details of how we're going to do that."

Asked if RAF Voyagers will be used, she said: "We will be ready for flights to take off in the spring when the legislation passes."

When it was pointed out that we are now heading towards May, she said: "There are many definitions of spring but we're hoping to get them up and running as quickly as possible."

The Voyager is the RAF's only air-to-air tanker and can also be used as strategic air support.

According to The Times, Rishi Sunak is poised to release a fleet of these jets to be used for the deportation scheme.

The prime minister refused to comment on the report, telling broadcasters on Wednesday: " Once on the statute books we will do everything we can do to get flights off to Rwanda."

A government spokesperson said last night: "We make no apology for pursuing bold solutions to stop illegal migration, dismantle the people smuggling gangs and save lives.

"We have robust operational plans in place to get flights off the ground to Rwanda."

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The scramble to find aircraft comes as the bill to revive the policy remains wrangled in parliamentary "ping pong" after the House of Lords gave it a fresh beating on Tuesday.

Downing Street wants to get the legislation - which declares Rwanda a safe country and stops appeals from asylum seekers being sent there on safety grounds - on the statute books this week.

The bill was brought forward after the Supreme Court ruled in November that the plan to send people on a one-way flight to Kigali was unlawful.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

However, it has faced fierce opposition in the House of Lords.

Peers have insisted on amendments which restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene.

Peers also want the bill to have "due regard" for international and key domestic laws, including human rights and modern slavery legislation.

In addition, they have backed a requirement that Rwanda cannot be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified that protections contained in the treaty are fully implemented and remain in place.

Their insistence on the safeguards, which MPs in the House of Commons has rejected, has resulted in the bill being stuck in a process dubbed as "ping pong", when the two chambers battle out the legislation until an agreement on wording can be reached.

Read more: A win on Rwanda won't automatically translate into victory for Sunak

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The latest government setbacks mean the proposed law will be debated again by MPs on Wednesday before once again being passed back to the Lords.

The Rwanda policy was first announced two years ago by the then prime minster Boris Johnson as a deterrent to Channel crossings.

Mr Sunak is under pressure to get it going before the upcoming general election, having staked his premiership on "stopping the boats".

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RAF shot down Iranian drones heading for Israel, Sunak confirms

Prime minister says UK was involved to save lives in Israel and neighbouring countries

• Middle East crisis – live updates

Rishi Sunak has confirmed that RAF Typhoons shot down a number of Iranian drones overnight and said the UK’s involvement helped save lives in Israel and neighbouring Arab countries.

The prime minister did not provide the number of drones hit, although the UK’s contribution is likely to have been significantly less than the 70 claimed by the US and dozens reported knocked out by Jordan over its airspace.

“I can confirm that a number of Iranian attack drones were shot down and we pay tribute to the bravery and the professionalism of our pilots flying into the face of danger to protect civilians,” Sunak said.

Britain signed a military cooperation agreement with Israel in 2020, which remains secret, and a defence and trade pact a year later, but these are not thought to require the UK to come to Israel’s aid in the event that it is attacked by another country.

Instead, Sunak described Britain’s participation as “saving lives not just in Israel but in neighbouring countries like Jordan as well”, and he suggested it was an extension of the air campaign against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Constitutionally, the prime minister can start a war or order military action without reference to parliament, relying on royal prerogative powers originally reserved to the monarch but now delegated to ministers.

In 2011 the Conservative-led coalition said a convention had emerged whereby MPs would have the opportunity to debate the deployment of military forces in advance, except in the case of an emergency.

Parliament’s authorisation was sought for the UK to participate in the bombing against Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in Libya in 2011, against IS in Iraq in 2014 and in Syria in 2015, but more recently Sunak declined to give parliament a vote on Britain’s participation in strikes against Yemen’s Houthis, who have been attacking shipping in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Parliament returns from its Easter break on Monday, having not sat since the US first warned of a likely Iranian attack on Israel at the end of last week. The prime minister is expected to personally update MPs on the crisis and Britain’s military assistance on Monday afternoon.

Ministers are likely to face renewed pressure from Tory MPs to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist group .

“I have argued for a long time that they should already be proscribed because of their actions inside and outside Iran,” Liam Fox, the former Tory defence secretary, told the Guardian. “Recent events have merely confirmed what many of us believe – that they are the toxic core of a thuggish regime. We might also ask why Iran Air are still operating daily from Heathrow and why Iranian banks still function in the City.”

Bob Blackman, the Tory MP for Harrow East, said: “Iran has declared war on Israel and Israel is our ally. We should proscribe the IRGC, sequester their assets in the UK and close the Iranian embassy in London.”

The shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, renewed the Labour party’s call for the IRGC to be proscribed and called for the government to “come forward with new plans” to make it happen.

The Foreign Office has resisted the move because doing so with a state body would be likely to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran and prevent direct engagement.

Victoria Atkins, the health secretary, told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg Show: “We believe that the police or security services and the courts here in the UK have the powers that they need to target those people who are causing the most concern and indeed, we have sanctioned 400 individuals and entities from Iran here in the UK.

“But secondly, there is a point of the value of being able to have a direct conversation with the Iranian authorities, in the way that has already happened.”

Preparations for the UK’s participation in the event of any Iranian attack went on for several days last week, with Typhoons and Voyager refuelling aircraft being rebased at the Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus to provide the necessary support.

Sunak said he had agreed “a plan of action” on Friday at a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, where senior ministers and officials would have been present.

RAF Typhoons also covered planned US Air Force missions over Iraq and Syria, allowing the Americans greater latitude in helping Israel’s military, defence sources said.

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Russia says 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Russia’s Federal Security Service says at least 60 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in an attack at a Moscow concert hall. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Russia’s Federal Security Service says at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in a mass shooting at a Moscow concert hall.

A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen secures an area as a massive blaze seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

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A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Medics transport a body of a victim a waiting ambulance near the burning building of the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen leave a bus near the burning building of the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landlside. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Ambulances park near a burning building of the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

Police block the road to the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

Ambulances parked near the burning building of the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

A man speaks to journalists as a massive blaze seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov)

Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen secure an area near the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Vitaly Smolnikov)

A medic stands near ambulances parked outside the burning building of the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Vitaly Smolnikov)

Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen walk toward the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (Sergei Vedyashkin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen help a man to leave an area near the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Vitaly Smolnikov)

Traffic on the highway is visible near the Crocus City Hall with a warning message on a billboard that reads “we mourn 03.22.2024" on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. Several gunmen have burst into a big concert hall in Moscow and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people and setting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. (AP Photo/Vitaly Smolnikov)

MOSCOW (AP) — Assailants burst into a large concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100 and setting fire to the venue in a brazen attack just days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on power in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on affiliated channels on social media. A U.S. intelligence official told The Associated Press that U.S. intelligence agencies had learned the group’s branch in Afghanistan was planning an attack in Moscow and shared the information with Russian officials.

It wasn’t immediately clear what happened to the attackers after the raid, which state investigators were investigating as terrorism.

The attack, which left the concert hall in flames with a collapsing roof, was the deadliest in Russia in years and came as the country’s war in Ukraine dragged into a third year. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the raid a “huge tragedy.”

The Kremlin said Putin was informed minutes after the assailants burst into Crocus City Hall, a large music venue on Moscow’s western edge that can accommodate 6,200 people.

The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic. The Investigative Committee, the top state criminal investigation agency, reported early Saturday that more than 60 people were killed. Health authorities released a list of 145 injured — 115 of them hospitalized, including five children.

Some Russian news reports suggested more victims could have been trapped by the blaze that erupted after the assailants threw explosives.

Video showed the building on fire, with a huge cloud of smoke rising through the night sky. The street was lit up by the blinking blue lights of dozens of firetrucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles, as fire helicopters buzzed overhead to dump water on the blaze that took hours to contain.

The prosecutor’s office said several men in combat fatigues entered the concert hall and fired on concertgoers.

Dave Primov, who was in the hall during the attack, described panic and chaos when the attack began.

“There were volleys of gunfire,” Primov told the AP. “We all got up and tried to move toward the aisles. People began to panic, started to run and collided with each other. Some fell down and others trampled on them.”

Videos posted by Russian media and on messaging app channels showed men toting assault rifles shooting screaming people at point-blank range. One video showed a man in the auditorium saying the assailants had set it on fire, as gunshots rang out incessantly.

Guards at the concert hall didn’t have guns, and some could have been killed at the start of the attack, Russian media reported. Some Russian news outlets suggested the assailants fled before special forces and riot police arrived. Reports said police patrols were looking for several vehicles the attackers could have used to escape.

In a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, the Islamic State group said it attacked a large gathering of “Christians” in Krasnogorsk on Moscow’s outskirts, killing and wounding hundreds. It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the claim.

However, U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the claim by the Islamic State group’s branch based in Afghanistan that it was responsible for the Moscow attack, a U.S. official told the AP.

The official said U.S. intelligence agencies had gathered information in recent weeks that the IS branch was planning an attack in Moscow. He said U.S. officials privately shared the intelligence earlier this month with Russian officials. The official was briefed on the matter but was not authorized to publicly discuss the intelligence information and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Noting that the IS statement cast its claim as an attack targeting Christians, Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, an expert on the terrorist group, said it appeared to reflect the group’s strategy of “striking wherever they can as part of a global ‘fight the infidels and apostates everywhere.’”

In October 2015, a bomb planted by IS downed a Russian passenger plane over Sinai, killing all 224 people on board, most of them Russian vacation-goers returning from Egypt. The group, which operates mainly in Syria and Iraq but also in Afghanistan and Africa, also has claimed several attacks in Russia’s volatile Caucasus and other regions in the past years. It recruited fighters from Russia and other parts of former Soviet Union.

On March 7, Russia’s top security agency said it thwarted an attack on a synagogue in Moscow by an Islamic State cell, killing several of its members in the Kaluga region near the Russian capital. A few days earlier, Russian authorities said six alleged IS members were killed in a shootout in Ingushetia in Russia’s Caucasus region.

On Friday, statements of outrage, shock and support for those affected by the concert call attack streamed in from around the world.

Some commentators on Russian social media questioned how authorities, who relentlessly surveil and pressure Kremlin critics, failed to identify the threat and prevent the attack.

Russian officials said security was tightened at Moscow’s airports, railway stations and the capital’s sprawling subway system. Moscow’s mayor canceled all mass gatherings, and theaters and museums shut for the weekend. Other Russian regions also tightened security.

The Kremlin didn’t immediately blame anyone for the attack, but some Russian lawmakers were quick to accuse Ukraine and called for ramping up strikes. Hours before the attack, the Russian military l aunched a sweeping barrage on Ukraine’s power system, crippling the country’s biggest hydroelectric plant and other energy facilities and leaving more than a million people without electricity.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said that if Ukraine involvement was proven, all those involved “must be tracked down and killed without mercy, including officials of the state that committed such outrage.”

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denied Ukraine involvement.

“Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods,” he posted on X. “Everything in this war will be decided only on the battlefield.”

John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said he couldn’t yet speak about the details but “the images are just horrible. And just hard to watch.”

Friday’s attack followed a statement earlier this month by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that urged Americans to avoid crowded places in view of “imminent” plans by extremists to target large gatherings in the Russian capital, including concerts. The warning was repeated by several other Western embassies.

National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said Friday the U.S. government had information about a planned attack in Moscow, prompting the State Department advisory to Americans. The U.S. government shared the information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding “duty to warn” policy, Watson said.

Putin, who extended his grip on Russia for another six years in this week’s presidential vote after a sweeping crackdown on dissent, denounced the Western warnings as an attempt to intimidate Russians. “All that resembles open blackmail and an attempt to frighten and destabilize our society,” he said earlier this week.

Russia was shaken by a series of deadly terror attacks in the early 2000s during the fighting with separatists in the Russian province of Chechnya.

In October 2002, Chechen militants took about 800 people hostage at a Moscow theater. Two days later, Russian special forces stormed the building and 129 hostages and 41 Chechen fighters died, most from effects of narcotic gas Russian forces use to subdue the attackers.

In September 2004, about 30 Chechen militants seized a school in Beslan in southern Russia taking hundreds of hostages. The siege ended in a bloodbath two days later and more than 330 people, about half of them children, were killed.

Associate Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.

This story was updated to correct that John Kirby is a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, not the White House national security adviser.