Putin vows retribution for Moscow bomb blast
Source: Agencies |
January 26, 2011, Wednesday
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Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has vowed revenge for a suicide bombing that killed at least 35 people at Russia's busiest airport.
Talking tough a day after the bombing, Russian leaders yesterday ordered security services to root out the culprits behind the attack, which bore hallmarks of militants fighting for an Islamist state along Russia's southern flank.
"This was an abominable crime in both its senselessness and its cruelty," Putin told a meeting of ministers in Moscow.
"I do not doubt that this crime will be solved and that retribution is inevitable."
President Dmitry Medvedev criticized law enforcement agencies and airport managers over the attack at Domodedovo, a major international gateway to Russia. At least eight foreigners were killed in the attack.
"Everything must be done to find, expose and bring the bandits who committed this crime to court. And the nests of these bandits, however deep they have dug in, must be liquidated," he said.
"We must not stand on ceremony with those who resist ... they must be destroyed on the spot," Medvedev told leaders of the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is tasked with coordinating Russia's fight against terrorism.
Monday's explosion ripped through the area where international travelers emerge after collecting their bags.
Russia's Health Minister Tatyana Golikova said 49 people remained in a serious or very serious condition in hospital.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, but Russia has been grappling with a growing Islamist insurgency in the mainly Muslim republics which make up its southern flank in the North Caucasus.
"Terrorism remains the main threat to the security of our state, the main threat to Russia, to all our citizens," Medvedev said. He said terrorist attacks increased last year, calling it "the most serious signal" for law enforcement.
"It is clear that there is a systemic failure to provide security for people" at Domodedovo, said Medvedev.
He told the FSB to ensure proper security at upcoming international events including the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, on the edge of the North Caucasus.
Medvedev also ordered the Interior Ministry to recommend transport security officials for dismissal.
Both Putin and Medvedev donned white coats and stood at victims' bedsides in visits shown on state television.
The choice of Domodedovo's international arrivals area suggested the attackers wanted to make an impact beyond Russia. One investigator said the bomber appeared to have been a heavily built man aged 30 to 40. Other reports pointed to a female suicide bomber or two attackers.
An Emergencies Ministry list of the dead included eight foreigners: two Britons, a German and citizens of Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The British Foreign Office said one Briton was confirmed dead.
The ministry said nine foreigners were among those in hospital.
Talking tough a day after the bombing, Russian leaders yesterday ordered security services to root out the culprits behind the attack, which bore hallmarks of militants fighting for an Islamist state along Russia's southern flank.
"This was an abominable crime in both its senselessness and its cruelty," Putin told a meeting of ministers in Moscow.
"I do not doubt that this crime will be solved and that retribution is inevitable."
President Dmitry Medvedev criticized law enforcement agencies and airport managers over the attack at Domodedovo, a major international gateway to Russia. At least eight foreigners were killed in the attack.
"Everything must be done to find, expose and bring the bandits who committed this crime to court. And the nests of these bandits, however deep they have dug in, must be liquidated," he said.
"We must not stand on ceremony with those who resist ... they must be destroyed on the spot," Medvedev told leaders of the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is tasked with coordinating Russia's fight against terrorism.
Monday's explosion ripped through the area where international travelers emerge after collecting their bags.
Russia's Health Minister Tatyana Golikova said 49 people remained in a serious or very serious condition in hospital.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, but Russia has been grappling with a growing Islamist insurgency in the mainly Muslim republics which make up its southern flank in the North Caucasus.
"Terrorism remains the main threat to the security of our state, the main threat to Russia, to all our citizens," Medvedev said. He said terrorist attacks increased last year, calling it "the most serious signal" for law enforcement.
"It is clear that there is a systemic failure to provide security for people" at Domodedovo, said Medvedev.
He told the FSB to ensure proper security at upcoming international events including the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, on the edge of the North Caucasus.
Medvedev also ordered the Interior Ministry to recommend transport security officials for dismissal.
Both Putin and Medvedev donned white coats and stood at victims' bedsides in visits shown on state television.
The choice of Domodedovo's international arrivals area suggested the attackers wanted to make an impact beyond Russia. One investigator said the bomber appeared to have been a heavily built man aged 30 to 40. Other reports pointed to a female suicide bomber or two attackers.
An Emergencies Ministry list of the dead included eight foreigners: two Britons, a German and citizens of Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The British Foreign Office said one Briton was confirmed dead.
The ministry said nine foreigners were among those in hospital.
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