The explosion in the subway in Saint Petersburg is a very difficult and delicate situation. Unfortunately, we live in a world where terrorist attacks occur almost every week in different parts of the world, in different countries. In Western Europe, and partly in Russia, the attacks most often associated with the activities of Islamic terrorists. In recent years, often called “Islamic state”, he recalled, “al-Qaeda” (banned in Russia organization — approx. ed.). In generalized terms we are talking about Islamic terrorists. I think that this is the priority version and in this case, because for Russia this is not something new.
We know about the attacks, in which suspected or accused Islamic terrorists, and not necessarily from the North Caucasus, in a few cases it was even a Slavic origin who converted to Islam. In Russia, the “Islamic state” is officially banned, Russia is fighting in Syria, including with the same “Islamic state”, although the real purpose of this war is the salvation and strengthening of the position of its ally President Assad of Syria. But anyway, the Russian authorities formally are in conflict with the “Islamic state”, so the version about an act of terror by Islamic fundamentalists is a priority.
Frankly, there are fears on our side that can hear the accusations against Ukraine. It is clear that we have to wait for official releases, statements, etc., but it is worth considering that the relations between our two countries are running high, and the Ukrainian politicians and some political forces, using the slang term, hang all the dogs. An example is the recent decision of the court in Yessentuki on absentee conviction of ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine Yatsenyuk, accused of involvement in the Chechen war, atrocities, crimes, etc. On Ukraine laugh about it, but it’s not only funny, but also sad. Such crimes are sometimes just making stuff up, in order to enhance the image of the enemy in the face of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the risk that can blame Ukraine, and some Ukrainian politicians, there are in this case. Moreover, some time ago, and Russian officials and Russian media voiced version that supposedly some right-wing Ukrainian forces are preparing terrorist attacks on Russian territory. Alas, but such accusations against us should be ready.
No matter who will be named a terrorist, but we all need to rise against terrorism, to unite around the government, around President
Need to consider all versions, up to the actions of a resentful psycho-loner. In the modern world this also sometimes happens.
But there is another version. I’m not very fond of conspiracy theories, but in the Russian history something similar has happened. Considering the recent events in Russia, this version should not be discounted.
From the point of view of the laws of PR and the political process, the Russian authorities are very interested in the distraction. In switching focus from the recent protests in Moscow and several other Russian cities, with the emergence of a new oppositional tension on the already familiar topic, in which Putin always rises, starting with his election to the presidency for the first time to with some other situations.
I would not rule out the version about involvement in the attack and the Russian special services themselves, who thus can divert attention away from new problems and the new surge of opposition activity. Plus the attack could be an attempt to once again create a pedestal Putin fighter against terrorism.
This version is very conspirological and can not act as a main, but it is worth remembering the history with explosions in Moscow in the early 2000-ies. Then, many Russian observers blamed the Russian special services. Including the late Colonel Litvinenko, who fled Russia after scoring this version.
As for Russian society, I’m afraid that a large part of it can easily succumb to this trick and the new wave of “terrorism”. No matter who will be named a terrorist, but we all need to rise against terrorism, to unite around the government, around President.
Volodymyr Fesenko, political scientist, Director of the Center for political studies “Penta”.
