In recent years, Moscow has been plagued by a series of attacks that have left the city in mourning. These attacks include apartment bombings, an attack on a rock concert, subway incidents, and the tragic hostage crisis at the Dubrovka theater, all of which serve as precursors to the Crocus City Hall incident.
On September 13, 1999, 120 people lost their lives in a bomb attack on a building southeast of Moscow. Russian authorities classified the incident as a “bloody terrorist attack” and attributed it to “Chechen terrorists.” This event set the stage for the start of a second Russian-Chechen conflict that same year. Some theories suggest that these attacks were orchestrated by the Russian Security Service (FSB).
The hostage situation at the Dubrovka theater in Moscow in 2002 was another tragic event in recent Russian history. Chechen commandos held over 900 hostages with weapons and explosives for four days, resulting in a rescue operation in which 130 people died from exposure to gases. The impact of this event is still felt today and highlights the need for increased security measures and vigilance against further acts of terrorism in the region.
Further attacks in Moscow include a twin suicide bombing at a rock concert in 2003, subway explosions in 2004, and a bombing at a Moscow airport in 2011. The head of the Islamist insurgency at the time, Doku Umarov, claimed responsibility for the airport attack. These incidents highlight the ongoing threat of terrorism and violence in Russia, with authorities attributing many of these attacks to Chechen terrorist groups. As such, it is important for increased security measures and vigilance against further acts of terrorism in the region.