(NewsNation) — The State Department is warning Americans to avoid Russia, reminding people the country is on the ‘do not travel’ list.
The warning comes following a shooting at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, a city near Moscow. Russian authorities are investigating the attack as terrorism.
The attack killed 40 and wounded at least 100 after gunmen burst into the concert hall and began spraying visitors with bullets. According to Russian media, the roof of the building collapsed after a fire caused by explosives.
Russian rock band Picnic was playing at the venue, which can hold 6,000 people.
The attack comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin was reelected in a tightly managed election, securing his role for six years. As Russia has continued to wage a drawn-out war in Ukraine, the president has cracked down on dissent.
The U.S. government recently warned Americans to avoid crowded places in and around Moscow because of the risk of a terrorist attack.
The State Department had already placed Russia on the ‘do not travel’ list due to conflict and warned that the ability of the State Department or U.S. Embassy to help American citizens is limited due to restrictions from the Russian government and the closure of U.S. consulates.