At a moment of unprecedented crisis, after Russia’s most devastating terrorist attack in nearly two decades, Russians expected Vladimir Putin to discuss immediate measures for security forces to retaliate against ISIS terrorists, especially those living in Afghanistan’s Khorasan province. These terrorists long ago declared war on Russia and directly on the President of the Russian Federation.

Instead, the audience witnessed an unexpected approach. Putin failed to mention the failure of Russian security forces, including the dreaded KGB, to prevent this tragic event, instead blaming it, as usual, on Ukraine.

Putin points the finger at everyone but himself

Vladimir Putin has made a statement about the worst terrorist attack in Russia in 20 years, but instead of telling us that his security forces – the KGB – failed miserably to prevent this tragic attack, he pointed the finger at Kyiv to somehow help him in this. war in Ukraine.

More precisely, he assumed that it would be Kyiv’s hand, without providing any evidence in this regard. And this despite the clear warning sent by the United States on March 7 about the inevitability of a terrorist act in public places, in particular in concert halls. In his speech before the board of the FSB, Putin called the American intelligence warning blackmail aimed at destabilizing Russian society.

The Russian leader has always presented himself as the guarantor of stability and order in Russia, who rules this country with an iron hand. However, internal chaos, the insecurity of citizens and the inability to provide adequate protection – including in the occupied territories of Ukraine – blur this perception. The leader from the Kremlin is losing your image as a strong leader.

At the moment, this insecurity and internal chaos persist in Russia. Due to fears of new terrorist attacks, security measures have been increased at major transport hubs. Public concerts and sports events have been postponed. Three more shopping centers in Moscow have temporarily suspended their activities. The increase in incidents of violence, explosions and a general sense of insecurity among citizens reflects the regime’s inability to maintain internal order. This is a major problem for a leader who bases his legitimacy on promises of stability and peace. He did this for the 24 years he was president of Russia, but it also earned him another term as president.

Russia has long faced terrorist attacks

In its recent history, Russia has been rocked by a series of devastating terrorist attacks that have deeply affected the country’s society and politics. These attacks took place mostly under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who became president amid such tragedies and, paradoxically, continued to be a dark part of his mandate.

Before Putin came to power in 1999, Russia was rocked by a series of apartment bombings that killed 293 people in just two weeks. The attacks took place in Moscow and southern Russia, leaving a deep wound in the nation’s heart. The Russian government quickly blamed separatist terrorists in Chechnya for the attacks. Vladimir Putin, the prime minister at the time, used these tragic events to justify a harsh military campaign against Chechen separatism, ushering in an era of violent confrontation.

One of the most shocking terrorist events under Putin was the October 2002 hostage crisis at the Moscow Theater in Dubrovka. A group of Chechen terrorists took 912 hostages, demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya. The tragedy ended after three nightmarish days with 132 victims, most of whom died from gas used by Russian special forces to immobilize the attackers.

Perhaps the most tragic was the siege of the Beslan school in September 2004. More than 1,100 people, mostly children, were taken hostage by a group of terrorists. The situation ended after three days of terror, when 334 people died, of which 186 were children. This event went down in history as one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the world and highlighted the vulnerability of civil society in the face of terrorism. All these attacks show us that Russia has been dealing with terrorism for a long time.

However, why was Russia chosen in this terrorist attack? Because ISIS-K in Afghanistan attacked mainly for reasons related to the history of conflicts and Russia’s relations in the region. These include the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Russia’s actions in Chechnya, Vladimir Putin’s close relationship with the governments of Syria and Iran, and Russia’s military campaigns against ISIS militants in Syria and elsewhere, including through Wagner Group mercenaries.

These terrorist attacks, carried out in the conditions of a long conflict with Chechen separatists, left a deep mark in Putin’s Russia. By using these tragedies as an excuse to strengthen national security and consolidate executive power, Putin has succeeded in cementing his image as a relentless leader in the fight against terrorism. However, these events also raised serious questions about the new anti-terrorism law of 2006, which, in addition to introducing effective security measures, restricts the rights of Russians as well as the freedom of the opposition in Russia, as it also affects political opponents, but also propagandists of sexual minorities.

Do stricter laws hide the system’s incompetence?

This incident highlights the inability of the Russian security system to act promptly and effectively. In theory, a robust security apparatus like the one claimed by Russia should be able to anticipate and neutralize such threats before they materialize. However, in practice, a serious gap was found in the ability of this system to protect its citizens, and the length of time required to identify and detain the perpetrators of this terrorist act also testifies to the shortcomings of the Russian system.

High-ranking representatives of the regime of the President of Russia called on the country to reintroduce the death penalty after the terrorist attack in the suburbs of Moscow. However, since that initiative, concerns have been raised about the request, including Russia’s extensive use of counter-terrorism and extremism laws to attack Kremlin opponents and supporters of Ukraine.

Despite the fact that the protests are suppressed, there is a significant level of public discontent in Russia. _Read the entire article and comment on it at contributors.ro