Jump to content

2010 Moscow Metro bombings: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Undid revision 353733110 by Lihaas (talk) rev v--continued deletion by Lihaas of ref'd text and references
→‎Suicide bombings: rev Lihaas --- reflects the facts, rather than the attackers' "intent"
Line 89: Line 89:
| accessdate=March 29, 2010
| accessdate=March 29, 2010
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
The attackers intended to strike during peak hours on a weekday when the subway would be at capacity. Eyewitnesses said that some survivors were so badly injured that they constantly splashed heavy amounts of blood on the floor and walls, until they were attended to by doctors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://article.wn.com/view/2010/03/29/Moscow_bomb_The_doctors_could_not_stop_the_victims_bleeding/ |title=Moscow bomb: 'The doctors could not stop the victims' bleeding' - Worldnews.com |publisher=Article.wn.com |date= |accessdate=March 30, 2010}}</ref>
The times of attack corresponded to the maximum passenger capacity of the subway during the [[working time|workday]] morning rush. Eyewitnesses said that some survivors were so badly injured that they constantly splashed heavy amounts of blood on the floor and walls, until they were attended to by doctors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://article.wn.com/view/2010/03/29/Moscow_bomb_The_doctors_could_not_stop_the_victims_bleeding/ |title=Moscow bomb: 'The doctors could not stop the victims' bleeding' - Worldnews.com |publisher=Article.wn.com |date= |accessdate=March 30, 2010}}</ref>


[[Alexander Bortnikov]], the FSB chief, said its investigation pointed to "terrorist groups related to the [[North Caucasus]]".<ref name="bbc 8593961"> {{cite news
[[Alexander Bortnikov]], the FSB chief, said its investigation pointed to "terrorist groups related to the [[North Caucasus]]".<ref name="bbc 8593961"> {{cite news

Revision as of 20:22, 3 April 2010

2010 Moscow Metro bombings
Central hall of the Lubyanka station
the day after the bombings
LocationMoscow, Russia
DateMarch 29, 2010
7:56/7:57 MSD and 8:37/8:39 MSD (UTC+4)
TargetMoscow Metro
Attack type
Suicide bombings
WeaponsHexogen explosives[1]
DeathsTotal 40:[2]
Lubyanka station: 25
Park Kultury station: 13
Injured102 (88 hospitalized)[2]
PerpetratorCaucasus Emirate[3]
No. of participants
2 women

The 2010 Moscow Metro bombings were suicide bombings carried out by two women during the morning rush hour of March 29, 2010, at two stations of the Moscow Metro (Lubyanka and Park Kultury), with roughly 40 minutes of interval between them. At least 40 people were killed, and over 100 injured.

Investigations indicated that the bombings were perpetrated by Islamist[5][6] Chechen separatists.[6][7] Russian officials called the incident "the deadliest and most sophisticated terrorist attack in the Russian capital in six years",[8] a reference to the Avtozavodskaya and Rizhskaya bombings in 2004. At the time of the attacks, an estimated 500,000 people were commuting through Moscow's metro system.[9]

On March 31, Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov claimed responsibility for ordering the attacks, in a video released on the internet. He said attacks in Russia would continue.[10]

Background

The bombings were the latest in a series of attacks in Russia, many attributed to Chechen separatists or to the "Caucasus Emirate".[11] Since 1999, Chechen separatists gradually shifted away from the more secular approach of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, strongly influenced by Islamist[12] Wahhabi thinking that placed them at odds not only with Russia and pro-Russian Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, but also with a Dagestani population with strong Sufi traditions.[13][14] A group of Islamist[13] mujahideen claim they are fighting a "holy war",[15] and wish to create an "Emirate" in the Caucasus.[16] Over 5,000 people have been killed and wounded in the Caucasus since 2002.[17]

Follow up

About 48 hours after the Moscow Metro bombings a double suicide bombing hit the Caucasian Republic of Dagestan, killing the city police chief amongst others. Russia immediately drew parallels, saying the two bombings were linked.[18] On April 1 another bombing in Dagestan killed two more people.[19]

Suicide bombings

Locations of the attacks on a metro map

The first explosion occurred on the Red Arrow – 75 years train at the Lubyanka station at approximately 7:56 am local time (3:56 am UTC). The train started from Yugo-Zapadnaya, and stopped at Lubyanka station. Once the train doors opened, explosives worn by a woman standing at the second carriage's second exit detonated. The explosive, believed to be RDX,[20] had a force of up to Template:Kg to lb of trinitrotoluene (TNT). More than 20 passengers in and outside of the carriage in proximity to the suspected terrorist died instantly. One victim from the third carriage died from a head injury caused by an Template:Mm to in piece of metal.[21]

A second explosion at the Park Kultury station followed at approximately 8:38 am, caused by another female, who at the time of the first explosion was riding another train from Sokolniki station in the same direction. At the time of first explosion, the second train stopped between Frunzenskaya and Park Kultury stations. It was announced over the speakers that due to technical problems, the train would have to unload the passengers at the next stop. About 40 minutes later, the train reached the station, and once its doors opened, the second female suspect detonated the second explosion.[21] Panic included stampedes at both stations, as commuters attempted to escape.[7] The second attack was carried out by a dark-haired woman with the equivalent of 2 kg of TNT strapped to her waist. Both bombs were packed with metal nuts, bolts and screws, to increase the destructive impact of the blasts.[22][23]

The "Red Arrow – 75 years" train
upon its first launch

The two women who carried out the attacks wore explosive belts, presumably using detonation devices set inside their mobile phones and activated by a call to self.[24] The times of attack corresponded to the maximum passenger capacity of the subway during the workday morning rush. Eyewitnesses said that some survivors were so badly injured that they constantly splashed heavy amounts of blood on the floor and walls, until they were attended to by doctors.[25]

Alexander Bortnikov, the FSB chief, said its investigation pointed to "terrorist groups related to the North Caucasus".[26]

A third reportedly failed detonation was announced by Life News roughly 40 minutes later, aimed at one of the two Prospekt Mira stations; however, no explosives were found in the suspected plastic bag, after it was taken from the station.[27] Around 10:04 am local time a call from a public phone announcing another planned explosion was made to the Begovaya station staff, but the caller soon revealed it to be a hoax.[28] Another hoax occurred about an hour after the second explosion at the Ulitsa Podbelskogo station when passengers noticed a Muslim woman entering the train.[29][30]

Casualties

Template:FixBunching

Casualty statistics[2]
Nationality Deaths Hospitalized
 Russia 33 86
 Tajikistan 2 –
 Ukraine 1[31] –
 Malaysia – 1
 Philippines – 1
unidentified 4 –
Total 40 88

Template:FixBunching

Template:FixBunching

Citizenry of those killed and wounded were updated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations.[2]

At least 39 people were killed in the explosions, with the last victim dying of her injuries on March 30.[32][33] This figure was revised upwards from an earlier count of 36 killed, that had consisted of 24 people in the explosion at the Lubyanka station and 12 at Park Kultury. Two other people died in the resulting stampede at both the stations after the blast. Three of the dead were minors.[34] A high-ranking official of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, Captain Viktor Ginkut, was also amongst the passengers killed at Park Kultury station.[35] His residential registry in Sevastopol, Ukraine has raised the question of his actual nationality, but Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia refused to comment on it.[31]

Over 100 other passengers sustained mild to serious injuries.[7][24] Five of the injured passengers remain in a critical condition.[32]

Subsequent false alarms

A third reportedly failed detonation was announced by Life News roughly 40 minutes later, aimed at one of the two Prospekt Mira stations; however, no explosives were found in the suspected plastic bag, after it was taken from the station.[27] Around 10:04 am local time a call from a public phone announcing another planned explosion was made to the Begovaya station staff, but the caller soon revealed it to be a hoax.[28] Another hoax occurred about an hour after the second explosion at the Ulitsa Podbelskogo station when passengers noticed a Muslim woman entering the train.[29][30]

Aftermath

Overcrowded surface public transport lines
the day of the bombings

Around 11:00 am local time, a special operation was launched to patrol all the subway stations in search of possible clues to trace the instigators. A passport control brigade of local militia was also deployed at every station of the Sokolnicheskaya Line.[36]

Russia's Interior Ministry head Rashid Nurgaliyev said security was being boosted across the country, "in particular in those cities with metro systems."[37] March 30 was declared a nationwide Day of Mourning.[38]

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin issued a decree ordering the allocation from the Reserve Fund of 300,000 rubles (approx. $11,000 USD) to the families of those killed in the bombings, plus 18,000 rubles for funeral expenses, and of 50,000–100,000 rubles to those who were injured in the attacks, depending on the severity of their injuries.[39][40] Authorities announced that due to upcoming Easter (Paskha), May 1 International Workers Day and May 9 Victory Day, strict security would be imposed on Moscow's metro network up until May 15, 2010.[41] As a result of the terror bombings, the number of daily commuters in the Moscow metro decreased by 17% the next day.[42]

Investigation

Special meeting following
the Moscow metro bombings

According to Interfax news agency, citing law enforcement sources, surveillance cameras captured two women – aged between 18 and 20 – boarding the metro at the Yugo-Zapadnaya station. Police were hunting for one 30-year-old man with North Caucasian features, and two other women of Slavic appearance aged 22 and 45 who had been seen shepherding the bombers into the station.[9] All had their faces uncovered.[43]

Unconfirmed reports said the perpetrators tried to take the explosives to the Russian Ministry of Defense building on Arbat street.[38] Law enforcement also speculated the suicide bombers may have confused the stations, missing one of their original targets – Oktyabrskaya station. They opine that the attackers intended to blow up the Lubyanka station, which is located next to central headquarters of FSB, and then Oktyabrskaya, which is attached to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.[44]

Officials suspect that Muslim rebels from the troubled North Caucasus region that includes Chechnya are responsible for the attack.[7][45][27] The link to the Islamists[46][47] was immediate. According to preliminary reports, law enforcement were notified about possible terror acts through three telegrams indicating potential threats to Moscow's transport system, but the suicide bombers passed through the security. Unofficial reports the morning before the attacks took place indicate many female passengers of North Caucasian appearance were stopped and checked by Moscow security enforcement under pretence of routine ID verifications, and taken to local precincts.[21]

The Investigation Committee of the Procuracy of the Russian Federation started a criminal investigation under Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code ("act of terrorism").[48]

Perpetrators

Two Chechen women are believed to have detonated the explosions. Russian authorities released photographs of both women, showing their facial features to be intact and possibly identifiable.[49][50] Russia's FSB security service confirmed that one of the attackers was 17-year-old. Dzhanet Abdullayeva, a "black widows" who had lived in the Khasavyurtsky region of Dagestan.[49] Police had identified an apartment rented out by two suspected accomplices of the bombers. The men were believed to have accompanied the women to a metro station in the southwest of the city and handed over the bomb belts. They then went back to the apartment where they were said to have remotely detonated the charges. The two were known to police who have put them on a wanted list.[51]

Moscow said that there were an additional twenty-one "black widows" ready to strike, and were studying if the alleged attackers were part of an original group of thirty.[52] Female suicide bombers, known as "black widows," have been involved in suicide bombings on numerous occasions, including 2004 bombings of two passenger planes that took off from Domodedovo International Airport, previous Moscow metro bombings, the Moscow theater hostage crisis, and the Beslan school hostage crisis.[49]

The Caucasus Emirate immediately denied responsibility for the attack, saying that they planned attacks on economic targets inside Russia, but not against civilians. However, the attack followed a warning from Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov the prior month of his intent to spread the Caucasian insurgency to Russian cities.[52]

Doku Umarov in 2003

Two days following the blasts, in a video message posted on a Chechen rebel website, Umarov claimed that his group was behind the bombings and that he had ordered the attacks. He said the Moscow attacks were an act of revenge for the killings of Chechen and Ingush civilians by Russian security forces near Arshty on February 11, and that more attacks would follow.[53]

On March, 29 in Moscow were accomplished two special operations on exterminating kafirs and saying hello to the FSB. Both these operations were accomplished by my order [...] And today, any politician, any journalist, any person that would condemn these operations, accuse me of terrorism, I laugh to his face, I only grin[...]

— Doku Umarov (Amir of the Caucasus Emirate, ex-president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria), Statement of the Amir of the Caucasus Emirate.[54], Doku Umarov (Amir of Caucasus Emirate, ex-president of the unrecognized Chechen Republic of Ichkeria)

Reactions

President Dmitry Medvedev visits
the Lubyanka Metro
Further information: Reactions to the 2010 Moscow Metro bombings

Following the attacks, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as well as Ramzan Kadyrov, President of the Chechen Republic, were quick to comment on the attacks. The heads of Russia's three biggest religious bodies also condemned the attacks and called for justice. The Russian Council of Muftis said that "extremism and terrorism have no basis in the Holy Qur'an," and added that "a terrorist cannot be a Muslim while a Muslim cannot be a terrorist."[55] Russia's chief rabbi, Berel Lazar, said he was sure the masterminds of the terrorist attack would get the punishment they deserved.[55]

The attack also sparked condemnation and expressions of condolence from numerous governments and heads of state, as well as international bodies such as NATO, the Council of Europe, and the European Union who also condemned the attacks and/or expressed condolences to the victims' families.[56][57]

Outside Russia, the United States increased security and police presence on transit systems in New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Atlanta following the attacks.[58]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2010 Moscow Metro bombings.
External media
Images
image icon View 1 of Lubyanka platform
image icon View 2 of Lubyanka platform
image icon View 3 of Lubyanka platform
Video
video icon Russia Today Report
video icon Park Kulturi station after the act of terror

References

  1. ^ "Medvedev calls for tightened security after Moscow metro blasts". PRIME-TASS. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "МЧС СПИСКИ погибших и пострадавших при взрывах в метрополитене г. Москва 29.03.2010 г." Ministry of Emergency Situations (Russia). Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  3. ^ "Europe – Chechen rebel claims Moscow attacks". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  4. ^ "Russia hints at al Qaeda link to subway blasts". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  5. ^ "/ UK – Authorities blame raids on Islamist terrorists". Ft.com. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Russian grief turns to anger toward leaders". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 31, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "washingtonpost1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c d NBC and news services (March 29, 2010). "Toll from Moscow subway blasts rises to 39: FSB security service's HQ is in building above one of targeted stations". MSNBC.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  8. ^ "Washington Post report, March 29, 2010". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "Russian police release subway bomb suspects' photos". CNN. March 30, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  10. ^ Chechen rebel says he ordered Moscow Metro attacks BBC Retrieved on March 31, 2010
  11. ^ "Timeline: Terrorism in Russia". CNN. February 6, 2004.
  12. ^ Guy Faulconbridge – Analysis (March 26, 2010). "Russia's silent war spills into Moscow". Reuters. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Russia braces for terrorism's return as 38 die in subway bombings". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  14. ^ Mikhail Roshchin (March 13, 2009). "Caucasus Emirate: Virtual Myth or Reality?". North Caucasus Analysis. 10 (10).
  15. ^ Guy Faulconbridge – Analysis (February 9, 2009). "Russia's silent war spills into Moscow". Reuters. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  16. ^ "Timeline: Terrorism in Russia". CNN. February 6, 2004.
  17. ^ "(Un)civil Jihad in the Caucasus Emirate". Center for Defense Information.
  18. ^ "Russia says Moscow, Dagestan blasts linked". Presstv.ir. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  19. ^ "Another blast in Dagestan kills two". Presstv.ir. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  20. ^ [1]
  21. ^ a b c Nikolay Sergeyev (March 30, 2010). "Поезд шахидки". Kommersant. Retrieved March 30, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Two blasts in Moscow Metro, dozens killed". RT. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  23. ^ "News — Politics — Unclear if Serbs were among victims in Moscow". B92. March 11, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  24. ^ a b "Terrorist acts in Moscow metro were performed by suicide bombers" (in Russian). Lenta.ru. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  25. ^ "Moscow bomb: 'The doctors could not stop the victims' bleeding' - Worldnews.com". Article.wn.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  26. ^ "Moscow Metro bombing masterminds 'will be destroyed'". BBC News. March 29, 2010.
  27. ^ a b c "Moscow Metro hit by deadly suicide bombings". BBC. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "bbc" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  28. ^ a b "Moscow police ([[GUVD]]) disproved information about third and fouth explosions" (in Russian). Top.rbc.ru. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) Cite error: The named reference "top_rbc_incident" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  29. ^ a b "According to preliminary data, explosions at Moscow underground stations Lubyanka and Park Kultury were performed by female suicide bombers" (in Russian). Ekho Moskvy. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "ekho" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  30. ^ a b "Suicide bombers went down to the underground" (in Russian). RBCdaily. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "RBCdaily" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  31. ^ a b "МИД отказался комментировать информацию о двойном гражданстве погибшего в Москве жителя Севастополя" (in Russian). Bigmir.net. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  32. ^ a b "Moscow metro death toll rises as national day of mourning begins". Guardian. March 30, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010. "Bombers kill at least 38 in Moscow subway". Reuters. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  33. ^ "Bombers kill at least 38 in Moscow subway". Reuters. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  34. ^ "Родные опознали жертв терактов в метро" (in Russian). Life News. March 30, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "При взрыве в московском метро погиб капитан первого ранга ЧФ РФ" (in Russian). Ria Novosti. March 30, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Московское метро атаковано террористами" (in Russian). Top.rbc.ru. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  37. ^ "Security stepped up across Russia after deadly Moscow blasts". RIA Novosti. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  38. ^ a b "В связи с произошедшими взрывами в Москве 30 марта объявлен Днем траура". First Channel. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Families of Moscow metro attacks will be paid 300,000 rubles – government decree". Interfax. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  40. ^ Stack, Megan K (March 29, 2010). "Suicide bombers hit two Moscow subway stations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  41. ^ "Усиленные меры безопасности сохранятся в метро Москвы до 15 мая – Гаев" (in Russian). Ria Novosti. March 31, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "Пассажиропоток в метро Москвы во вторник сократился почти на 20%" (in Russian). Ria Novosti. March 31, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ Harding, Luke (March 29, 2010). "Moscow bombings: Putin vows to destroy group behind attacks". The Guardian. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  44. ^ Lena Chuguy (March 29, 2010). "Террористки-смертницы могли перепутать станции метро". Argumenty i Fakty. Retrieved March 29, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ Levy, Clifford (March 30, 2010). "Moscow Attack a Test for Putin and His Record Against Terror". The New York Times.
  46. ^ "UPI NewsTrack TopNews". UPI.com. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  47. ^ "Us-International Summary". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  48. ^ "Underground — explosions" (in Russian). Expert.ru. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  49. ^ a b c Osborn, Andrew (March 29, 2010). "Moscow bombing: who are the Black Widows". Telegraph. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  50. ^ "Russian police release subway bomb suspects's photos". CNN. March 30, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  51. ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/04/20104213214264919.html
  52. ^ a b Grove, Thomas. "'We're not behind Moscow bombs': Islamist group". Montrealgazette.com. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  53. ^ "Chechen rebel says he ordered Moscow Metro attacks". BBC. March 31, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |trans_title= (help)
  54. ^ "Заявление Амира Имарата Кавказ Докку Абу Усмана. 29.03.2010". YouTube. March 29, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  55. ^ a b "Russian religious leaders condemn Moscow subway blasts". RIA Novosti. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  56. ^ "Foreign leaders symItalic textpathize with Russia over blasts". Voice of Russia. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  57. ^ "NATO chief condemns Moscow blasts". Voice of Russia. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  58. ^ Scott, Megan K. (March 29, 2010). "US transit security beefed up after Moscow blast". Associated Press.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2010_Moscow_Metro_bombings&oldid=353782166"