Political scientist Igor Chalenko on air 24 channels expressed the opinion that the Russian dictator would blame Ukraine or Western countries for the terrorist attack. But the terrorist attack is primarily beneficial to his regime.
On topic: Previously, several managed to escape: how eyewitnesses describe terrorists in Moscow
This is not the first time something like this has happened
Those involved in the terrorist attacks in the Moscow region have not yet been found. The Kremlin authorities have so far reacted with restraint to the events that took place in the Crocus City Hall concert hall.
“It is obvious to me that this is the beginning of a new stage of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Here it is necessary to immediately note several events: Nebenzi’s statement at the UN Security Council that supposedly one of the goals of the “SVO” has been fulfilled; Peskov’s statement that now this is not “SVO”, but war; record attack on Ukrainian infrastructure. On a wave of euphoria, drawn 87%, turnout 77%, Putin decided to return to the beginning: “Nord-Ost” 2022, explosion in high-rise buildings 1999, Beslan 2004. All these events were benchmarks for tightening the screws and curtailing democracy in Russia,” noted Igor Chalenko.
High-profile terrorist attacks in Russia
The political scientist recalled a number of the most high-profile terrorist attacks that occurred on Russian territory in the late 90s and early 2000s.
– Explosions of residential buildings in Russia – a series of terrorist attacks in the Russian cities of Buinaksk, Moscow and Volgodonsk from September 4 to 16, 1999. As a result of the terrorist attacks, 307 people were killed and more than 1,700 were injured of varying degrees of severity. Opposition politicians, journalists and investigators were convinced that these terrorist attacks were organized to intimidate direct political competitors for the presidency, since elections were held in March 2000 and Putin came to power.
– Nord-Osta tragedy – according to the official version, 40 Chechen militants led by Movsar Barayev captured about 900 spectators of the musical “Nord-Ost” in the building of the Theater Center on Dubrovka (Moscow). The Russian leadership, led by President Putin, refused to negotiate on the conditions for the release of the hostages. As a result of the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” of the Russian special services, all the terrorists were shot, but 130 hostages were also poisoned with an unknown gas. The order for the assault was given personally by Vladimir Putin. Critics of the Putin regime, relying on facts and evidence, claim that the terrorist attack was organized by the Russian FSB.
– Tterrorist act in Beslan – hostage-taking in school No. 1 in the city of Beslan (North Ossetia, Russia) by a group of terrorists on the morning of September 1, 2004 during a ceremonial assembly. For almost three days, terrorists held more than 1,100 hostages (mostly children, their parents and school employees) in a mined school building. After negotiations failed, they began an assault using flamethrowers, grenade launchers and heavy military equipment, as a result of which, according to the official version of the Russian government, 334 hostages were killed. After this terrorist attack, the political leadership led by Putin implemented a number of reforms in federal legislation, which were in no way related to the terrorist attack and de facto changed the Russian constitutional system of Russia.
“Now this moment can be used to announce a general mobilization. The FSB uses such emotional triggers, so the Russians will accept it. It is obvious that Putin will use this to explain the further intensification of aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, it is correct that the Defense Forces are trying to reduce the strength of Russian troops by attacking the oil refinery,” Chalenko emphasized.
At the same time, Ukraine does not use terrorist methods of warfare and does not fight with the civilian population of Russia. Only Russian critical infrastructure and military facilities are under attack.
Again, Putin will try to make terrorists out of Ukrainians, which is what the entire so-called “SVO” is doing. Otherwise they cannot work in Russia. The main thing is that the world does not “swallow” it,
– the political scientist emphasized.
Putin has a plan ready
The White House promptly responded to the terrorist attack in the Moscow region. In particular, John Kirby said that Ukraine was not involved in this. At the same time, it is also interesting that the Kremlin can blame the shooting not even on Ukraine, but on NATO countries, which shortly before warned about possible provocations in Russia.
The construction is already unfolding through bot farms that it could supposedly be Ukrainians as the perpetrators. But Western embassies warned about the terrorist attack, which means they knew about it. Accordingly, they allegedly implemented this plan themselves. This is already happening. The blow will be not only to Ukraine,
– Chalenko noted.
At the same time, earlier on March 22, a publication appeared in the Financial Times that the United States was calling on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian refineries. They say that in Washington they fear that drone strikes on these facilities could lead to an increase in world oil prices, as well as provoke retaliatory measures from Moscow.
“All this creates a picture that Putin will now come out and say that there is a certain connection between this, and will refer to the phrases of American officials. Russia informationally always works behind the looking glass, forming its own post-truth, which has never been the truth. It is obvious that they already have a plan for further action“, the political scientist emphasized.
One way or another, what happened in Moscow under no circumstances would have been beneficial either to Ukraine or to Western countries. After all, it is clear that Putin will definitely use this to demonize our state.
Terrorist attack in the Moscow region: briefly
- By evening, Russian telegram channels began to massively report shootings at the Crocus City Hall concert hall, which is located in the village of Krasnogorsk not far from Moscow. Unidentified people in camouflage opened fire on visitors waiting for the concert of the Picnic group. Subsequently, a large-scale fire started in the building. Many remained trapped in the fire-engulfed Crocus. The culprits have not yet been caught.
- The Main Intelligence Directorate and Russian volunteers accused Vladimir Putin of deliberate provocation. The White House, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the Office of the President reported that Kyiv was in no way involved in the events in the Moscow region.
- Putin’s representative Dmitry Peskov has already responded to the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. According to him, Vladimir Putin received all the information about the incident and gave the necessary instructions.