Millions of us might be **** if we ignore the Russian-Ukraine war

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Found this on an FSB operation against "militants" in Ingushetia about three weeks ago.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/03/3/7444731/
This does not appear to have been blamed on Ukraine.
Current reporting on RT also does not blame anyone for the Moscow attack yet (although some commentators do blame Ukraine).
From the video I've seen inside the concert hall, the shooting seems quite measured, no blazing away on full auto.
So I am guessing it's militants, with some training, associated with a Russian regional independence movement.

[probes]

UKR will be blamed for sure.
Trouble is, they haven't targeted civilians up to now. so... But I'm sure ruz will fabricate a plot.

But there was just shooting, as it's reported, why did the fire break out?
Edited: an eye witness: the gunmen threw a petrol bomb.

Edited: some (probably 4 of the 5) gunmen are said to have escaped. Public events cancelled in Moscow.
It's claimed: "It reminds the terrorist attacks of the Chechens, the Nord-Ost theatre tragedy" - or has been planned to remind of it.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

One report I've seen said they set off "an incendiary bomb".
I think they definitely intended that from the start. It would certainly overcome the preferred security forces solution of only letting people out slowly to identify the militants.

Further reports include:
10 bearded men carried out the shootings.
One has been detained.
Four escaped.

Obviously, these numbers don't add up.
Certainly still looks like muslim regional seperatists, possibly Ingush.

The complex was owned by an Azerbajani businessman. That may or may not be significant.

I made my comment some time ago about the Caucasus being at least as bad as the Balkans, and some with more knowledge agreed at that time.

[probes]

But what about the video of them moving in, slowly and no panic, not rapid fire or anything? The aim being - create 'chechen-style' effect?

[1DC]

Apparently ISIS have just claimed responsibility for the russian concert job, something new into the mix!!

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I am unaware of terrorist tactics in these situations. My knowledge is limited to some stuff about IEDs, some bits on training, and the political and target choice aspects.
Do please elaborate, what is 'chechen-style'?
Presumably nothing like...


..too early?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

ISIS don't usually make false claims. They used to be very particular about it, doing their own research on people claiming affiliation before confirming or denying.

Russian media proxies now reporting the ISIS claim. Nothing official anywhere in Russia is attempting to blame the Ukrainians.

[probes]

Do please elaborate, what is 'chechen-style'?

The Nord-Ost theatre hostage crisis by Chechens (when ruz was killing them). It has been referred to in several news agencies.

Why would ISIS do it??

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Well, the Ingush want their own republic; and there is still a mountain of bad blood over Chechnya; the Russians bombed ISIS in Syria, of course; putin doesn't say his prayers 5 times a day, etc.

And, religious nutters of any creed never do reason, it's all Faith, and their interpretation of The Book.
It's never enough for them that putin is happy chucking generals and gays off tall buildings, and hates The Great Satan*, he's got to have a beard as well.

*USA

[tango15]

Do please elaborate, what is 'chechen-style'?

The Nord-Ost theatre hostage crisis by Chechens (when ruz was killing them). It has been referred to in several news agencies.

Why would ISIS do it??

Reprisal for Russia's UN vote?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Ooh, now the Russians are throwing sh!t about.
Usual suspects:

Moscow has come out with fighting words while also pointing the finger at Washington about 'what it knew' ahead of time and when:

Medvedev threatens Ukraine's top officials will be 'destroyed mercilessly as terrorists' if the 'Kyiv regime' is linked to Moscow concert hall attack.

The former president Deputy Chairman of the Security Council is known to routinely issue threatening and hawkish words, but the Russian foreign ministry has issued the following as cited in Reuters:

"On what basis do officials in Washington draw any conclusions in the midst of a tragedy about someone’s innocence?” She added that if Washington had information, it should be shared and that if Washington had no information, it should not be talking in such a way.

If Russia wants information shared, it might be a good idea not to kill tens of thousands of innocents and devastate countries in blatant war crimes. Just sayin'

Send putin a copy of 'How to win friends and influence people'. I'm pretty sure 'being a murderous b@stard' isn't mentioned.

[probes]

Absolutely. But putin is convinced it's possible to bomb nations into loving him and his ruz world.

Satellite images show the destruction of a Mariupol theater that had 'CHILDREN' written outside — before and after it was bombed by Russia
They filled the basement with concrete, so the world wouldn't know how many actually were there. Definitely more than a few.

Probably the attack yesterday means ISIS sees ruz as weak enough to be bitten?

AND an oil refinery in Samara oblast on fire. UKR had said fuel is military resource and they're reducing it to reduce mil activities of ruz.

P.S the concert also seems to be remarkable - the "patriot" who glorifies the war SHAMAN - "LET'S GET UP"-"ВСТАНЕМ"

[probes]

I'm going to be very busy for the next six months, so will be posting quite a bit less.

Oh, no! Who will find the videos and explain things, then?

[probes]

Why would ISIS do it??

Reprisal for Russia's UN vote?

Aa, you mean that: The United Nations Security Council on Friday turned down a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal after Russia and China vetoed the measure proposed by the United States.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Do forgive me, as I have a long list of jobs. Got to strip off all the siding, fit extra foam and new siding, dig out the ground around the house to shape the slope properly, fit all new windows, rewire half the house, build a nice kitchen from scratch...and the list is three times longer than that.

I note Ukraine has hit another refinery. I note it's a specialist jet fuel factory. I guess the Americans are letting them hit stuff that isn't part of Russia's oil exports.
https://mstdn.social/@noelreports/112144025614437926

I also note the FSB are trying to shift at least part of the blame from the radicals onto Ukraine. every commentator seems to think this is to add justification for a forthcoming further Russian mobilisation, and I agree.

Right, off out after a hearty breakfast to continue disassembling an old deck.

I'll still keep posting where I can, but obviously the electrics will be off for significant periods sometimes, as well as the general workload, so don't be concerned if I disappear for days.

[probes]

Do forgive me, as I have a long list of jobs.

Sure, but still [Admin, please, a crying emoji needed that does not flash and blink much! but is crying heartily! and looking desperate!]!
Good luck with your work, despite the long silences

Ok. The embarrassing moment for putin is that just days ago he condemned the US for their 'empty warnings' about terrorist attacks to destabilise the great ruz.
putintalk
Appears there were some smaller scale activities and 'terrorists' arrested before the big blast in the Crocus Arena. Which is supposed to have the capacity of 6000 and was sold out for the concert of the extra nasty shaman who ... ach, well, you can google yourself for how he looks and what kind of bile sings about.
So putin actually can't say he wasn't warned.
Not that he has said anything. Yet.
The opinions are that he would start another mass hysteria for 'protecting' homeland, presumably followed by mobilisation of some kind.

Some say it reminds of the events to ignite the war in Chechenya. Even though right now ruz isn't able to open another front.
P.S. energency exits had been closed at the venue - can't be accidental, it's said. If it really had about 6000 people in there, the casualty count is going to be much higher. Some had tried to hide under the seats, and if they were there when the fire broke out, well...

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

putin won't say anything yet.

That isn't how he does things.
The nomenklatura have to appeal for action.
The media have to appeal for action.
Some crying woman on the street gets a TV camera shoved in her face, appealing to The Great Leader.

Then he acts, because it is his duty, to the people, to the Rodina.

And not just because he was going to anyway.

Stalin did the same. Standard leftie strategy.

Meanwhile

The GUR denied information from the FSB, claiming that suspected shooters were on their way to Ukraine.

"Specifically, this statement and this information is, of course, nonsense. These statements of the FSB are aimed either at the frankly ignorant or at the zombified Russian population. To imagine that after more than two years of full-scale invasion, terrorists are heading to the border regions, I think that comments here are superfluous," GUR spokesman Andriy Yusov said.

[tango15]

I attended an aviation-related function at the Crocus Arena on a couple of occasions. It really is massive and there were at least three helicopters (with rotors extended) there on one occasion. It's very close to the Moscow Ring Road, (their equivalent of the M25, and at least as busy, usually with multiple accidents, giving the Russian propensity for not giving way to anyone). At that time of night, the perps would have been able to get away relatively easily, which is probably why it was chosen. The Russians are notorious prevaricators when it comes to releasing figures for death tolls from accidents. When the fire in the Rossiya Hotel took place in February 1977, a death toll of 42 was announced, but several people (who would know), have told me that it was at least twice that figure. The hotel had very few exits, a design intended to make it difficult for guests to enter or exit unseen by the hotel staff. They know their own tricks best! The padlocking of fire exit doors in bars and restaurants is commonplace too.

[probes]

If it's not deepfake, then it's ... well, what? Old tricks? If UKR didn't shoot, then they prepared a 'window' for escape at least!

[GrumpyPilot]

If it's not deepfake, then it's ... well, what? Old tricks? If UKR didn't shoot, then they prepared a 'window' for escape at least!

Is it possible ? Yes.
Is it probable? Most likely not.

The fog of war and the ensuing chaos makes for strange bedfellows. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Just look at the Russians and Chechens now vs 20 years ago…..obviously Kadyrov’s “loyalty” to Russia comes at a price that Putin is willing to pay.

Putin is looking to find the tiniest of connections to link this to Ukraine.