A woman tried to flag down a bus carrying military personnel to an air base near Chechnya today and detonated a bomb, killing herself and at least 17 other people, and wounding 15 more, according to Russian officials. It was the third such attack by a woman in three weeks. Russian officials said the recent wave of suicide bombings, with a death toll of close to 100, marks a shift in tactics by Chechen rebels eager to disprove President Vladimir Putin’s claims of increasing stability in the war-torn republic. In March, the Kremlin sponsored a referendum in which Chechen voters approved a new constitution that declares the republic an integral part of Russia. The government also is offering partial amnesty to Chechen rebels who agree to lay down arms. But terrorist attacks and military skirmishes continue throughout Chechnya. A report released today by a Putin appointee cited serious and “continuing violations” of human rights by both Russian troops and Chechen militants. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.