Terrorism Strikes Russia Attacks from August 24 to September 3, 2004

1
Terrorism Strikes RussiaAttacks from August 24
to September 3, 2004
2
Disaster in the SkyRussian Plane
BombingsAugust 24, 2004
3
Russia Plane BombingsAugust 24, 2004
Overview

• Two Russian civilian aircrafts on domestic
  flights originating from Moscows Domodedovo
  Airport crashed within minutes of each other at
  approximately 2300 (local time)
• According to open sources, the Russian Security
  Service, FSB, claim that one female suicide
  bomber on each plane was able to detonate an
  improvised explosive device (IED) in mid-air,
  killing all 90 passengers and crew. No
  information is available on how the IED was
  smuggled on the plane. No Americans were on the
  flights
• Islambouli Brigades claimed responsibility
  for the attack
• Russians officials are investigating two
  Chechen women as the main perpetrators

4
Russia Plane BombingsAugust 24, 2004
Modus Operandi

• Media reports indicate two female terrorists
  boarded the aircrafts at Moscows Domodedovo
  Airport and may have smuggled explosives without
  detection or were able to detonate the explosives
  pre-placed on the plane by an insider (No M.O.
  has been confirmed)
• Volga AviaExpress Flight 1303, a Tupelov-134 en
  route to Volgograd, was found in the Tula region,
  about 100 miles south of Moscow, after
  disappearing from radar at about 2056 hrs
• Sibir Airlines Flight 1047, a Tupolev-154 bound
  for the Black Sea resort Sochi, disappeared from
  radar over the Rostov-on-Don region, about 500
  miles south of Moscow near Russia's border with
  Ukraine, minutes after the first jet crashed
• The Federal Security Service, or FSB, reported
  traces of the explosive Hexogen, commonly known
  as RDX, at both crash sites
• Witnesses report seeing explosions in midair

5
Russia Plane BombingsAugust 24, 2004
Sibir Airlines Flight 1047
Volga AviaExpress Flight 1303
Destinations
6
Russia Plane BombingsClaim of Responsibility

• Islambouli Brigades published a statement on
  a website claiming responsibility for the attack
• There will be, God willing, more waves until
  we humiliate the infidel state called Russia,
  the group vowed
• The Islambouli Brigades is named after Lt.
  Khaled Islambouli, the leader of a group of
  militant Islamists who assassinated Egyptian
  President Anwar Sadat in Cairo in 1981
• No information is available to verify the
  credibility of the group or the statements claim
• The group also claimed responsibility for the
  August 31 Moscow Subway Bombing

7
Russia Plane BombingsSuicide Bombing Suspects

• The FSB suspects that two Chechen females,
  Amanat Nagayeva, 30, and Satsita Dzhebirkhanova,
  37, carried out the attacks. Passports for
  Nagayeva and Dzhebirkhanova were found at the
  crash sites in the Tula and Rostov regions, but
  their remains have not been identified
• The Moscow Times reported that Russian law
  enforcement are on-the-look-out for additional
  suspects including Roza Nagayeva (the Subway
  bombing suspect), Imam Nagayeva, and Maryam
  Taburova. The two plane bombing suspects shared
  a Grozny (Chechnya) apartment with Roza and
  Maryam.
• The Moscow Times reports that four of the women
  are believed to have traveled to Moscow in August
  to carry out suicide attacks.

8
Russia Plane BombingsAugust 25, 2004 Warden
Message
Russian authorities have confirmed that two
civilian airliners crashed at approximately 1100
p.m. on August 24th in separate incidents. Cause
of the crashes is under investigation. Both
flights originated from Moscow's Domodedovo
Airport. One flight (Sibir 1047) was bound for
Sochi and crashed in Rostov oblast, the other
flight (Volga-Aviaexpress 1303) was bound for
Volgograd and crashed near Tula. There is
currently no confirmation that either of these
crashes involved terrorism. In another incident
earlier in the evening of August 24th, an
explosive device went off at a bus stop on
Kashirskoye Shosse in Moscow, injuring several
people. This incident is also currently under
investigation. While the causes of these
incidents remain under investigation, American
citizens in Russia should exercise caution and
remain vigilant and aware of these heightened
risks when planning use of or using any form of
public transportation and should avoid large
public gathering. American citizens traveling or
living in Russia are advised that the potential
for terrorist actions, including actions against
civilians, is currently high, and will remain so
particularly through the upcoming elections in
Chechnya on August 29th. The US Embassy
remains in close contact with both Russian and US
authorities on this matter and will advise
through this channel of any further related
developments. As the Embassy continues to
develop information on any potential security
threats to U.S. citizens in Russia, it shares
credible threat information through its website
(www.usembassy.ru) and the consular information
program documents, available on the Internet at
http//travel.state.gov. Information is available
from the Embassy's American Citizen Services unit
at [phone] or moscowwarden_at_state.gov In
addition travelers may obtain up-to-date
information on security conditions by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside
the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at
1-317-472-2328.
9
Suicide Bombing Strikes MoscowAugust 31, 2004
10
Suicide Bombing Strikes Moscow
August 31, 2004
Overview

• At approximately 2015 hrs (local time) a female
  suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive
  near the Rizhskaya (Riga) metro station in
  northeast Moscow
• Various media reports confirm 10 casualties and
  51 injuries 49 were hospitalized (No AMCITS
  reported)
• Police said the explosion was adjacent to the
  Rizhskaya (Riga) subway station and Krestovsky
  department store
• The bomb caused significant facility damage to
  the metro station entrance - shattering doors and
  windows as well as igniting 2 vehicles
• A female suicide bomber from Chechnya was
  identified in the attack

11
Suicide Bombing Strikes Moscow
Modus Operandi
Rizhskaya (Riga) metro station

• According to Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, the
  bomber tried to enter the metro station but
  turned around after seeing two policemen near the
  entrance checking documents and searching bags.
  She then detonated the bomb in a crowd at
  Prospekt Mira - Peace Avenue
• Moscows subway system could have been the
  intended target
• The improvised explosive device contained up to
  2.2 lbs. of explosives combined with several
  metal bolts to maximize casualties
• FSB reported that the explosive used in the
  bombing was Hexogen, which is the same explosive
  that was used in the August 24 plane bombings

12
Suicide Bombing Strikes MoscowSuicide Bombing
Suspect

• Press reports claim that a 29 year-old Chechen
  woman, Roza Nagayeva, blew herself up outside of
  the Rizhskaya station
• Roza is the sister of Amanat Nagayeva, the
  woman suspected of detonating the blast on board
  a Volga-AviaExpress Flight 1303, which crashed
  near Tula on August 24
• The Moscow Times reported that Russian law
  enforcement recently distributed photos of five
  suspected Chechen rebels including the two plane
  bombing suspects Amanat Nagayeva and Satsita
  Dzhebirkhanova Imam Nagayeva Maryam Taburova
  and Roza Nagayeva
• The Moscow Times reports that four of the
  women are believed to have traveled to Moscow in
  August to carry out suicide attacks
• Roza shared an apartment in Groznyy (Chechnya)
  with her sister, Dzhebirkhanova and Taburova

13
Similarities Between the August Attacks

• The three attacks all used female suicide
  bombers to target civilians
• The successful, well-planned attacks indicate
  that the terrorists conducted significant
  pre-operational surveillance
• The bombers used Hexogen, a solid, relatively
  safe and inexpensive explosive
• The three terrorists were fully committed to
  martyrdom
• They targeted various forms of public
  transportation, disrupting traffic
  entering/exiting Moscow

14
Possible Motives for the Attack

• Retaliation attacks for the Kremlin-backed
  Chechen Presidential Elections held on August 29.
  Former Chechen President Akhmed Kadyrov, also
  backed by Russia, was assassinated by Chechen
  Rebels in October 2003
• Possibly to undermine stability in Chechnya, as
  Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses
  negotiation with Chechen Rebels
• Russian officials claim a possible connection
  between Chechen Rebels and al-Qaeda Putin has
  suggested the August 24 plane bombings are tied
  to international terrorism
• No indicators suggest that Americans were
  targeted in the attacks

15
Increased Security Measures in Moscow

• Police increased patrols and document checks at
  airports, subway stations, and train stations
• Schools throughout Moscow increased security
  measures and provided uniformed guards.
  According to press reports, all 1,600 schools in
  the capital will soon be equipped with
  close-circuit cameras and permanent security
  guards
• Airlines that regularly conduct flights between
  Moscow and the United States have increased
  security measures to test passengers and their
  luggage for explosives
• Security has been tightened at facilities of
  Russias nuclear energy sector
• The Moscow authorities have canceled all
  official and entertainment events planned for
  City Day, a holiday to mark the anniversary of
  the founding of Moscow which was set for
  September 4-5

16
Female Suicide Bombers Black Widows
Who?

• Chechen females who carry out suicide bombings
  missions in revenge or desperation for losing
  husbands, brothers or fathers who were affiliated
  with Chechen rebels
• Woman ideologically indoctrinated by
  Chechen-based Islamic extremists
• They may be socially marginalized or ostracized
  by family members
• They may be motivated by financial compensation

Why?

• Chechen woman are able to move around more
  freely and inconspicuously than Chechen men
• They have a tactical advantage by wearing long,
  loose clothing to hide weapons

• Social customs may preclude male security
  guards from thoroughly searching Muslim woman

17
Chronology Major Bomb Blasts in Moscow Since 1999

• February 6, 2004 - A suicide bombing kills at
  least 39 people and injures more than 100 on an
  underground train in Moscow. Russia blames
  Chechens for the attack
• December 9, 2003 - A suicide bomb attack
  kills at least six people opposite Moscow's
  Kremlin. Another 13 people are wounded
• July 5, 2003 - Two female suicide bombers kill
  15 people when they blow themselves up at an
  open-air rock festival at Moscow's Tushino
  airfield. Sixty are injured
• August 31, 1999 - A bomb explodes in an
  underground shopping center just outside the
  walls of the Kremlin, injuring 20. Officials call
  it an act of terrorism but do not link it
  specifically to Chechen militants
• September 9, 1999 - Bombs destroy apartment
  blocks in Moscow, Buynaksk and Volgodonsk,
  killing more than 200 people. Moscow blames the
  Chechens, who in turn accuse Russian secret
  services (Source Reuters)

18
Russian School SiegeSeptember 1, 2004
September 3, 2004
19
Russian School SiegeSeptember 1, 2004
Overview

• 32 masked men and women with explosives and
  automatic weapons, seized a school in North
  Ossetia holding over 1,000 civilians hostages,
  including over 200 children
• The attackers threatened to kill 50 children
  for every one of their own killed and 20 for
  every one wounded
• The rebels provided a set of demands including
  the immediate withdrawal and end of operations of
  federal troops from Chechnya and the release of
  rebels arrested in raids on Ingushetia in June
  2003
• The New York Times reported that the attackers
  claimed to be part of "The Second Group of
  Salakhin Riadus Shakhidi, affiliated to Chechen
  warlord Shamil Basayev
• 326 casualties, including 156 children. Over
  727 wounded

20
Russian School SiegeSeptember 1, 2004
Modus Operandi

• At approximately 0930 local time, between 32
  terrorists stormed a Middle School in Beslan,
  North Ossetia, 10 km west of the border with
  Ingushetia, and opened fire in the courtyard as a
  ceremony marking the beginning of the school year
  was taking place (the strategic date ensured that
  many parents were inside along with teachers and
  children)
• Reports say the terrorists arrived from
  neighboring Ingushetia in a stolen military
  truck. AFP reports that the rebels used
  renovation work as a cover to plant arms and
  explosives in the school under construction
  material prior to the attack
• The terrorists forced over 1,000 (unconfirmed
  number) children and adults in to the school gym
  and wired the building and surrounding area with
  at least 15 IEDs while threatening to blow up the
  school if Federal forces tried to storm it
• Regional health officials initially reported
  that four people were killed and 10 wounded in
  the early hours of the siege, including two
  police officers guarding the school who resisted
  the attackers

21
Russian School SiegeSeptember 1, 2004
1 Main Entrance 2 - Area where gunfire began 3
- Hostages were being held in the school gym,
which was reportedly packed with explosives and
mines 4 - Side entrance 5 - There were reports of
children being used as human shields at the back
windows 6 - As the attack began a number of
hostages hid in the boiler room and later escaped
(Source BBC News)
22
Russia School SiegeSeptember 1, 2004
Inside of the Gym

• The hostages were forced in the center of the
  gym and were surrounded with mines and bombs
  connected together
• Bombs were taped to the walls and suspended
  from the ceiling. Two larger devices have been
  placed in the basketball hoops
• Periodically the attackers fire their guns to
  terrify the hostages and place children along the
  windows to act as human shields
• The terrorists refused to provide water and
  food to the hostages
• (Source BBC News)

23
Russian School SiegeSeptember 2, 2004
Negotiations

• The attackers reportedly passed a note to
  security forces demanding the withdrawal of
  Russian troops from Chechnya and the release of
  Ingush militants who were arrested in a June raid
• The terrorists refused to negotiate with anyone
  but three men, including North Ossetian
  President Alexander Dzasokhov Ingush President
  Murat Zyazikov and Leonid Roshal, a doctor who
  negotiated with the Chechen rebels in the 2002
  Dubrovka Theater seizure in Moscow
• 26 hostages, including women and children, were
  released Tuesday morning due to efforts made by
  negotiators

Militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at two
cars that got too close to the school
24
Russian School Siege Storming the SchoolFriday,
September 3, 2004

• 1249 Russian officials made an agreement with
  the rebels to send in vehicles to remove dead
  bodies from the September 1 attacks
• 1305 - Shortly after the vehicles arrived,
  terrorists began shooting at the Russian
  personnel approaching the bodies. At the same
  time some of the children began running from the
  gym and terrorists began shooting at them
• 1320 - Two explosions were heard and the
  shooting intensified around the school. (Media
  reports suggest that fighting began after a bomb
  fell off a basketball hoop in the gym from a line
  of IEDS strung across the two hoops, and
  detonated). Russian security forces began to
  storm the school and several people were killed
  in the chaotic battle to free children, parents
  and teachers who had been held hostage for 53
  hours. Several hundred hostages began to escape
  the school while gunfire was exchanged between
  soldiers and rebels
• 1335 - Commandos used low-yield explosions to
  make a hole in a school wall to create another
  way out for hostages
• 1630 The hostage seizure crisis at the school
  appeared to be ending

25
Russia School SiegeStorming the SchoolFriday,
September 3, 2004
Storming the School
The Stand-off
(Source BBC News)
26
Russian School Siege Storming the SchoolFriday,
September 3, 2004

• Immediately Following the Siege - According to
  media reports three hostage-takers are blocked up
  in the basement of the Beslan school, including
  the leader of the group, and an unknown number of
  hostages some of them children (Interfax)
• Ongoing - Security forces have launched an
  operation in downtown Beslan, North Ossetia, to
  track down the terrorists who may have escaped
  from the school building after the release of
  hostages. Some of the terrorists changed from
  their militants gear to civilian clothing and
  were able evade security forces
• Ongoing Local officials are searching for two
  female terrorists that escaped reportedly wearing
  suicide belts under their clothes in Beslan
• Deputy Prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky stated that
  32 attackers had seized the school and 30 of them
  had been killed - one attacker was in custody -
  ten of them from Arab countries
• Interfax reported more than 326 dead hostages
  were found in the gymnasium. An estimated 727
  hostages were wounded, including approximately
  156 children (No casualty count has been
  confirmed RIA-Novosti reports that 200 are still
  missing)

27
Russian School SiegeSuspected Terrorists

• The Russian authorities are blaming Chechen
  separatists, who have been fighting for
  independence from Moscow for the past decade
• The New York Times reported that a spokesman for
  the attackers said they were part of "The Second
  Group of Salakhin Riadus Shakhidi." Salakhin
  Riadus Shakhidi is a battalion of suicide
  fighters formed and headed by Chechen warlord
  Shamil Basayev
• Itar-Tass reported that the attack had been
  planned by Shamil Basayev and led by field
  commander Magomet Yevloyev. The source said there
  was information that it had been financed by Abu
  Omar As-Seyf, who was believed to be al-Qaeda's
  representative in Chechnya
• Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov has denied
  that his forces were involved in the siege, but
  did not rule out a Basayev accomplice as being
  responsible
• Additional reports also suggest that Ingush
  rebels who attacked security forces in Ingushetia
  in June or a North Ossetian-based rebel group
  may also be the suspected terrorists

Shamil Basayev
28
Russia Public Announcement
The US Department of State issued the following
Public Announcement on September 3, 2004 This
Public Announcement is being issued to alert
American citizens traveling or living in Russia
that the potential for terrorist actions is high.
Since August 24, 2004, Russia has experienced
several terrorist incidents apparently linked to
the ongoing hostilities in Chechnya, a republic
of the Russian Federation. This Public
Announcement expires on March 3, 2005. On August
24, two airplanes departing from Moscow to cities
in southern Russia crashed within minutes of each
other. The cause of the crashes, which claimed 90
lives, has been identified as explosives onboard
the planes. On the same night, an explosion at a
bus stop in Moscow injured several people. On
August 31, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb
outside a Moscow metro station killing ten people
and injuring several dozen more. On September 1,
a group of armed individuals believed linked to
Chechen separatists seized a school in the
Russian republic of North Ossetia, holding
hostage several hundred students, parents and
teachers. Acts of terrorism, including bombings
and hostage taking, have occurred in large
Russian cities over the last several years.
Bombings have occurred at Russian government
buildings, hotels, tourist sites, markets,
residential complexes, entertainment venues and
on public transportation.

See Next
Slide to Continue.
29
Russia Public Announcement (Cont.)
At this time, there is no indication that
American citizens or identifiable American
installations are being targeted. However, the
possibility of an American citizen being a random
victim of these attacks exists. American citizens
traveling or living in Russia are advised that,
currently, the potential for terrorist actions,
including actions against civilians, is high and
likely will remain so for some time. American
citizens in Russia should exercise caution and
remain vigilant and aware of these heightened
risks when planning use of or using any form of
public transportation. American citizens should
also avoid large public gatherings that lack
enhanced security measures. Due to continued
civil and political unrest throughout much of the
Caucasus region, the Department of State already
warns U.S. citizens against travel to Chechnya
and all areas that border it North Sestina,
Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropoulos,
Karachayevo-Cherkessiya and Kabardino-Balkariya.
United states government personnel are prohibited
from traveling to these areas, and American
citizens residing in these areas should depart
immediately as the safety of Americans and other
foreigners cannot be effectively guaranteed.
American citizens living in Russia or traveling
there are strongly urged to register with the
embassy or nearest consulate general.
Registration will allow the embassy to provide
direct information on the security situation as
necessary. Information on registering with the
embassy can be found at the embassy web
www.usembassy.ru or at the Department of State's
Consular Affairs website http//travel.state.gov/
travel/abroad_registration.html. As the
Department continues to develop information on
any potential security threats to U.S. citizens
overseas, it shares credible threat information
through its Consular Information Program
documents, available on the Internet at
http//travel.state.gov. In addition to
information on the Internet, travelers may obtain
up-to-date information on security conditions by
calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or
outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll
line at 1-317-472-2328.
30
Useful Websites
1. U.S Department of State Consular Affairs,
Russia Public Announcement http//travel.state.gov
/travel/russia_announce.html 2. U.S. Department
of State Consular Affairs, Consular Information
Sheet, Russia http//travel.state.gov/travel/russi
a.html 3. Overseas Security Advisory Council,
2004 Crime and Safety Report, Russia http//www.ds
-osac.org/view.cfm?key7744564A40type3D13151D011
112 4. U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia http//www.u
sembassy.ru
31
Contact Information

• Billy Alfano
• Overseas Security Advisory Council
• International Security Specialist for Western
  Europe
• [phone]
• AlfanoWL_at_state.gov

Editors Note This report was derived from
various media sources including Associated Press,
Agence France-Presse, BBC News, CNN, Interfax,
International Herald Tribune, Itar-Tass, Moscow
Times, New York Times, and various unclassified
Embassy reporting.