International terrorism is recognized as one of the most serious threats to all of humanity. One of the largest tragic events in Russia in recent years has become a terrorist attack at Domodedovo Airport. The sad news spread over the Internet through the Twitter service on January 24, 2011 at 16:38, which caused millions of people to cling to TV screens.
How did it all start?
January 24, 2011 is one of the most terrible days in the history of Russia. Around 16:32 Moscow time, there was a terrorist attack in Domodedovo. On this day, 37 civilians of Russia and foreign states died at the airport, including two people from Tajikistan and Austria, one resident of Germany, Ukraine, Great Britain and Uzbekistan. The explosion injured 117 people from 13 countries.
The explosion rang out in the common waiting room, in the immediate vicinity of the Asia Cafe. Nearby was the international arrivals hall, which led to the enormous number of victims from foreign countries. The terrorist attack at Domodedovo Airport was committed by a suicide bomber. According to alleged law enforcement agencies, he was a representative of the North Caucasus. A day after the tragedy, on January 25, V.V. Putin announced that the terrorist was not a native of Chechnya.
Subsequently, persons were identified who helped the suicide bomber to organize the bombing in a public place. The trial of those involved in this terrible act took place on November 11, 2013, as a result of which 3 participants were assigned a life term.
What are the main reasons for the terrorist attack at the airport?
After the terrorist attack at Domodedovo Airport, many political scientists and other experts began to identify the main factors that became the root cause of this terrible event. In particular, Levada Center conducted a survey from January 28 to January 31. Respondents were asked to name the causes of the terrorist attack in Domodedovo.
- Most citizens agreed that a similar situation would not have arisen if the special services carried out their activities more competently. In other words, 58% of all respondents recognized the activities of law enforcement agencies as incompetent.
- The second most popular reason that respondents identified was corruption in the highest authorities. 23% of respondents believed that it was bribery, including in law enforcement, that determined the attack in Domodedovo. In addition, 22% of Russians agreed that the authorities can’t avoid and prevent such attacks by suicide bombers.
- Other polls showed that, according to public opinion, the blame for the terrorist attack on civilians lies on the shoulders of representatives of various levels of government. 3/4 of all respondents agreed with this.
Explosive used at Domodedovo Airport
As established by law enforcement agencies, the suicide bomber used an explosive device, the charge of which was 5 kg in TNT equivalent. The bomb is made of plastid in the form of a martyr’s belt. After examining the wounds on the bodies of the injured and the dead, forensic experts concluded that the explosives were filled with damaging elements, including metal balls, pipe cuts, washers and nuts. However, representatives of the special services specified in their statement that it was impossible to speak precisely about the “deadly stuffing” of the bomb, since such damage could also have been caused by the elements of luggage arriving, fragments of carts and metal furniture, which was in close proximity to the epicenter of the explosion.
Mourning for the dead
The bitterness of human losses caused by the terrorist attack of Domodedovo is invaluable. Stefania Malikova published on her page on the social network the first frames after a terrible explosion with touching comments, in which she put all her thoughts about what happened. Moscow authorities have not spared this event. Official mourning for all those killed in the capital and the region was declared on January 26, 2 days after the tragedy. Flags were lowered on all buildings, and entertainment events were canceled.
Students of Moscow State University, who canceled all the celebrations associated with Student Day, mourned with relatives of the victims and the whole of Russia. Other universities across the Russian Federation joined this action. On January 27, a rally was organized on Pushkin Square to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorist act.
Consequences of the terrorist attack at Domodedovo Airport
Of course, such an event could not be left unnoticed by the President of the Russian Federation D. A. Medvedev. By his order, the head of the Department of Transport, Alekseev Andrey, was fired. The second high-profile event was the dismissal of the head of the Department of Internal Affairs of Moscow Domodedovo Airport, as well as his two assistants. This personnel change did not end. The attack in Domodedovo cost 4 officials, as well as Gennady Kurzenkov, who did not wait for the public "execution" and resigned of his own free will.
