This month’s suicide bombings in Chechnya and last year’s Chechen rebel raid on the Dubrovka theater are fresh in the minds of authorities planning the security for the tricentennial festivities in St. Petersburg and the visit of scores of world leaders. Alongside work to buff up the city’s architectural treasures, officials have geared up with a range of security measures that are to be especially tight this weekend. More than 40 world leaders are expected for the culmination of the anniversary celebration, which coincides with a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States on Friday, a Russia-EU summit Saturday and a meeting between Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush on Sunday. Earlier this week at the estate on the Gulf of Finland where EU leaders will live and meet with Putin, sappers combed the grounds for explosives. Set back from the road, a handful of mobile anti-aircraft systems stood behind a green barrier. All trucks and some cars entering St. Petersburg are being checked, and 20,000 police are serving, including 3,500 brought in from elsewhere, police spokesman Yury German said Wednesday. 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.