Several gunmen dressed in camouflage burst into the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow earlier this evening, spraying visitors with automatic gunfire, according to Russian media.
The Russian culture ministry has said all entertainment and mass events have been cancelled across the country.
All mass events in Moscow were called off earlier this evening following the shooting at Crocus City Hall, to the west of the capital in Krasnogorsk.
Crowds were gathering to see the Russian rock band Picnic in the concert venue, which can accommodate more than 6,000 people, when the attack started.
Children are among those injured in the shooting and fire at Crocus City Hall, Russia’s state-owned RIA news agency reports.
The fire raging at the concert centre near Moscow has covered an area of approximately 12,900 square metres, reported another Russian news agency, Interfax.
The blaze has been contained to the venue but is not yet under control, according to Interfax.
Vladimir Putin is receiving regular updates about the shooting at the Crocus City Hall concert near Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Mr Peskov said the Russian president had given all necessary instructions in connection with the incident, according to Russian news agencies reported.
The roof of the concert hall near Moscow where a shooting has taken place is collapsing, Russian state news agency has reported.
It comes after videos on social media appeared to show huge plumes of smoke rising over Crocus City Hall.
Russian news reports have said people dressed in camouflage burst into the venue and fired automatic weapons.
Some assailants also reportedly threw explosives, which triggered a fire.
At least 40 people have been killed in the attack at Crocus City Hall, and more than 100 have been wounded, according to Russian state media.
Islamic state has claimed responsibility for the shooting and explosions, and the US has said there was “no indication” that Ukraine was involved.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman has said if the US knew for sure that Ukraine was not involved, then it should share any information it had.
Maria Zakharova said: “On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of a tragedy about someone’s innocence?”
