The flag of the President of Russia flies at half mast over the Kremlin as the country observed a day of mourning on Sunday. AP
The flag of the President of Russia flies at half mast over the Kremlin as the country observed a day of mourning on Sunday. AP
The flag of the President of Russia flies at half mast over the Kremlin as the country observed a day of mourning on Sunday. AP
The flag of the President of Russia flies at half mast over the Kremlin as the country observed a day of mourning on Sunday. AP

A brief history of terror attacks against Russia


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

The ISIS-claimed terror attack against the Crocus Concert Hall near Moscow, in which at least 137 people have died, has brought back memories in Europe of previous terror attacks against concert halls.

These include the 2015 attack on the Bataclan in Paris, in which 90 people died, and the 2016 Manchester Arena bombing, in which 22 people lost their lives.

The Crocus Concert Hall shooting is the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in decades. Attacks in recent years have mainly targeted public transport – the most recent killed 15 people in the St Petersburg metro in 2017.

Here is a breakdown of the major terror attacks that have taken place in Russia in recent decades.

Apartment bombings

In late 1999, a series of bombings in Russian cities killed 307 people over two weeks. Four apartment blocks were targeted in three cities: Buynaksk, Moscow, and Volgodonsk.

Chechen separatists were accused of being behind the attacks, which triggered widespread fear across Russia and played an important role in triggering the Second Chechen War (1999-2009).

But many analysts attribute the bombings to the Russian authorities, who they say orchestrated the bombings to solidify President Vladimir Putin's rise to power. These claims were fuelled by the arrest of three Federal Security Services FSB members suspected of planting explosives in Ryazan.

Others say there is not sufficient evidence to back these claims, and security services later claimed the Ryazan incident was linked to a drill.

Moscow theatre crisis

In 2002, about 40 Chechen attackers took more than 800 people hostage for four days in the Dubrovka Theatre in Moscow.

The siege ended after Russian forces released sleeping gas into the theatre before storming the building. The gas reportedly killed a large number of the 132 hostages who died.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin lights a candle to commemorate the victims of a terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue on a day of national mourning in Moscow. EPA
    Russian President Vladimir Putin lights a candle to commemorate the victims of a terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue on a day of national mourning in Moscow. EPA
  • People gather next to a candle-lit memorial outside the concert venue. Reuters
    People gather next to a candle-lit memorial outside the concert venue. Reuters
  • Mourners at the concert venue. EPA
    Mourners at the concert venue. EPA
  • At least 137 people were killed when gunmen entered the Crocus City Hall, firing indiscriminately before setting it on fire. Reuters
    At least 137 people were killed when gunmen entered the Crocus City Hall, firing indiscriminately before setting it on fire. Reuters
  • The attack, which left more than 140 wounded, was claimed by ISIS. EPA
    The attack, which left more than 140 wounded, was claimed by ISIS. EPA
  • A man lays flowers at a makeshift memorial in Simferopol, Crimea. AFP
    A man lays flowers at a makeshift memorial in Simferopol, Crimea. AFP
  • Mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in front of the Russian embassy in Yerevan, Armenia. AFP
    Mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in front of the Russian embassy in Yerevan, Armenia. AFP
  • An electronic screen displays the message 'We mourn' in memory of the victims of the shooting attack, in Moscow. Reuters
    An electronic screen displays the message 'We mourn' in memory of the victims of the shooting attack, in Moscow. Reuters
  • Mr Putin condemned the massacre as a 'barbaric terrorist act'. EPA
    Mr Putin condemned the massacre as a 'barbaric terrorist act'. EPA
  • Flags fly at half-mast above the Kremlin in Moscow. EPA
    Flags fly at half-mast above the Kremlin in Moscow. EPA
  • An advertising screen at the VTB Arena displays an image of a lit candle, in Moscow. AFP
    An advertising screen at the VTB Arena displays an image of a lit candle, in Moscow. AFP
  • A man mourns outside the concert venue. EPA
    A man mourns outside the concert venue. EPA
  • The Russian FSB said 11 people, including all four terrorists directly involved in the terrorist attack, were arrested. EPA
    The Russian FSB said 11 people, including all four terrorists directly involved in the terrorist attack, were arrested. EPA
  • ISIS claimed responsibility for the assault, saying its fighters 'attacked a large gathering' on the outskirts of the Russian capital. EPA
    ISIS claimed responsibility for the assault, saying its fighters 'attacked a large gathering' on the outskirts of the Russian capital. EPA
  • The Russian national flag is lowered at the headquarters of State Duma, the lower house of parliament. Reuters
    The Russian national flag is lowered at the headquarters of State Duma, the lower house of parliament. Reuters
  • A woman places a lit candle as people attend a memorial service at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Simferopol, Crimea. AFP
    A woman places a lit candle as people attend a memorial service at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Simferopol, Crimea. AFP

The attack triggered a backlash against Chechen rebels in Russia, and led to the cancellation of plans to withdraw 80,000 soldiers from Chechnya.

Beslan school siege

Considered the deadliest school shooting in history, the 2004 attack on a school in Beslan in North Ossetia was carried out by Chechen separatists demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from the republic.

Led by the Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev, the attackers took around 1,100 hostages on the first day of the new school term in September.

A three-day siege ended with Russian forces storming the building. In the shoot-out, 333 people, including 186 children, were killed.

The siege resulted in increased anti-terrorism laws and the centralisation of previously federally elected legislative bodies within the Kremlin.

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.8%22%20edge%20quad-HD%2B%20dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%20Infinity-O%2C%203088%20x%201440%2C%20500ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204nm%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%20Gen%202%2C%2064-bit%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%20RAM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%2F1TB%20(only%20128GB%20has%20an%208GB%20RAM%20option)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20quad%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20f%2F2.2%20%2B%20200MP%20wide%20f%2F1.7%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%20f%2F4.9%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%202.4%3B%203x%2F10x%20optical%20zoom%2C%20Space%20Zoom%20up%20to%20100x%3B%20auto%20HDR%2C%20expert%20RAW%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208K%4024%2F30fps%2C%204K%4060fps%2C%20full-HD%4060fps%2C%20HD%4030fps%2C%20full-HD%20super%20slo-mo%40960fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%2C%20fast%20wireless%20charging%202.0%2C%20Wireless%20PowerShare%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%2C%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.2%2C%20NFC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3B%20built-in%20Galaxy%20S%20Pen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESIM%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20single%20nano%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20cream%2C%20green%2C%20lavender%2C%20phantom%20black%3B%20online%20exclusives%3A%20graphite%2C%20lime%2C%20red%2C%20sky%20blue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh4%2C949%20for%20256GB%2C%20Dh5%2C449%20for%20512GB%2C%20Dh6%2C449%20for%201TB%3B%20128GB%20unavailable%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador

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TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

6 UNDERGROUND

Director: Michael Bay

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco

2.5 / 5 stars

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

BRIEF SCORES:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'

Rating: 3/5

Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes

My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press

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Updated: March 28, 2024, 12:52 PM