Russia says teenager detained after US warning over Moscow park

The US embassy in Moscow had warned on 31 October of what it called a credible threat of a mass-casualty event at the Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve that day. It urged people to avoid the site and said the US government was coordinating a response with Russian authorities.

The FSB said on 1 November that the teenager, a Russian citizen, had been detained during checks on information from US law enforcement, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. The service thanked the US for providing the information.

According to the FSB, the teenager posted images on TikTok of himself in tactical clothing holding an object resembling an automatic weapon. It said he also posted separate photographs taken at Tsaritsyno with the caption “I found a place”.

CNN reported that the FSB said airsoft weapons were found at the teenager’s home. It is unclear whether they included the object shown in the images. The service also alleged that searches of devices revealed a subscription to a neo-Nazi Telegram channel and queries about attacks and mass killings. Its account does not establish that an attack was being prepared.

Reuters reported that the palace museum and park complex was temporarily closed on 31 October. The FSB said planned events were cancelled and security was strengthened. It said investigators were considering what legal action to take.