At least one person has died in central Moscow after an attacker opened fire near the headquarters of Russia’s spy agency.
Early reports suggested a higher number of fatalities, citing three people dead, as well as uncertainty over whether the shooting happened in or near the building.
The agency, called the Federal Security Service (FSB) and formerly known as the KGB, has reportedly said the gunman has been “neutralized” and a number of people were wounded.
It confirmed that one of its officers had died in the attack and that the lone attacker did not manage to enter the FSB’s building.
Russian TV channel, RT TV, has reported Russian intelligence services have said the incident is “an act of terrorism”.
“The shooting began around 17: (*********************************, “one witness told Reuters. “I saw a member of the traffic police running down the road, hiding behind vehicles.”
Armed special forces have been deployed to the scene, as five ambulances were seen leaving the area, according to Reuters.
It reported there have been fresh shots fired and police have extended the cordon surrounding the building. It is not clear if these shots are from the police, or a continued attack.
AP reports that the FSB have said the shooting occurred at a building directly behind its headquarters on Lubyanka Square.
The shooting came shortly after President Putin’s annual news conference. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he had been told of the attack.
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