This article points out a lot about Chechen fighters. I thought this quote was especially significant.
“The firefight last night — complete (if reports are to be believed) with the use of explosive devices — gave me an eery sense of déja vu. The police and FBI should assume that the remaining suspect is wearing a suicide vest. He may not be, but many American vets have bitter experience with Chechen and other terrorists who would kill as many people as they could in an effort to escape, then — when cornered — draw in friendly forces just before a final suicide attack.”
My first awareness of a Chechen problem was when I read a book, Gorki Park, I believe, from the 1990s, that discussed the role of the Chechen Mafia in a huge informal flea market for all kinds of goods, including stolen outside Moscow. The were not liked by other Russians, and this was before the big fighting there. So when I read that the son was an auto mechanic and the father in Dagestan (still at war with Russia) in an auto business, my immediate thought was, hmmm? stolen auto parts??? Easy enough to follow up on by police.
Regarding the terrorism aspect. My recollection from the time was that while the Chechen’s were responsible for capturing the school, the Russian’s were responsible for rushing the process of freeing the hostages, just as they did in the Moscow opera, possibly resulting in a much higher death toll among hostages. Regarding apartment bombings, it has been conjectured that some of this was actually done by Putin to make his actions against rebels look justified and win elections. So we have a number of really tricky, sneaky, complicated elements, all of which need to be sorted out. Much too soon for a final report.
Putin did not need anything to convince others, he had a dog and pony show he took on the road to Europe of videos that the chechens themselves had sent to Russia.
Have you been here long enough to recall the first beheading video that was around awhile back? With the chechen laughing as he used a knife to stab the neck of a soldier on the ground.
Thanks glee’.