AMU Homeland Security

Bus Bombing in Volgograd, Russia

By William Tucker
Chief Correspondent for In Homeland Security

Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee is investigating yesterday’s explosion on a Volgograd bus that killed at least 6 and wounded 30 more. Speaking for the AT Committee, Vladimir Markin, stated that “a criminal case has been opened under articles outlining terrorism, murder and the illegal use of firearms.” Markin would go on to state that the suspect in the bombing was Naida Asiyalova, a 30-year old from Dagestan, a republic in Russia’s North Caucasus. Video footage from the explosion show that the detonation of a small explosive occurred just after a woman boards the bus. Russian AT officials stated that identification cards and other materials found nearby were used to identify the suspect.

Just last week I discussed the alleged attempt by Caucasus militants to hit a chemical weapons storage and destruction facility in Kirov and how it applied to the strategy of the Caucasus Emirate to target Russia economically. This latest attack, though small in nature, was simple, but effective. These low level attacks seem to have eschewed the infrequent mass casualty attacks that have hit Russia over the past few years. It would appear that the improvement/increase in security measures around these targets has forced the militants to shift tactics to targets that are more difficult to secure. In essence, the militants are demonstrating that it is impossible to secure every target, and though its been said repeatedly, the upcoming Olympics may prove to be quite the challenge for the Russian security establishment.

William Tucker serves as a senior security representative to a major government contractor where he acts as the Counterintelligence Officer, advises on counterterrorism issues, and prepares personnel for overseas travel. His additional duties include advising his superiors in matters concerning emergency management and business continuity planning.

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