Russia says it foiled a possible terror plot in Moscow, but Western embassies have still issued travel warnings over heightened security concerns.

The Finnish Embassy in Moscow has issued a cautionary notice advising travellers to steer clear of public gatherings in Moscow over the weekend, as part of an updated Russia travel advisory posted on Friday. This advisory aligns with heightened security concerns in the Russian capital.

News agency Reuters reported that the US Embassy in Moscow has also warned of the risk of terrorist attacks and told its citizens to avoid any large gatherings including concerts and crowds.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry issued a similar recommendation to its citizens, noting that there is a known increased threat of terror attacks in Moscow in the coming days.

On Friday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it had subverted an attack orchestrated on a Moscow synagogue by the terrorist organisation the Islamic State (IS).

Reuters stated that it is unclear if the statements by various Western embassies are linked to the FSB’s announcement on foiling the attack.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has advised against all travel to Russia.