The Shift Towards Vengeance in Russia's Political Sphere

The recent news from Russia has been quite disheartening. First, there was the tragic death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, followed by reports of a rigged election and President Vladimir Putin's unwavering commitment to the war in Ukraine.

Adding to the distress is the horrific news of a terror attack at a concert hall near Moscow, resulting in the senseless killing of at least 139 individuals. The harsh official reaction from Russia following the attack suggests a further descent into darkness.

The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the massacre, releasing horrifying footage of the attack. However, the Kremlin has been vague in its response. Putin initially suggested, with no proof, that Ukraine had allowed the terrorists to escape through an active front line. Later, he stated that the crime was carried out by radical Islamists who were planning to flee to Ukraine. Kyiv has strongly denied any involvement and criticized the Kremlin's accusations as baseless.

On the other hand, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has disregarded inquiries about warnings from the United States regarding potential terror threats in Russia. He explained in a press briefing on Monday that intelligence is not directly shared with the Kremlin, but rather exchanged between intelligence agencies through confidential channels. This sensitive information is not disclosed to the public.

Peskov added: “There are currently no contacts with Westerners now.”

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Putin became a prominent figure in politics by promising to crack down on terrorists. Back in 1999, the ex-KGB agent made a bold declaration to eliminate Chechen separatists.

After a series of apartment bombings in Russia that resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and sparked widespread panic, Putin made a threat to take action. He followed through by invading breakaway Chechnya, a move that solidified his reputation as Russia's tough leader and helped him consolidate his power.

The conflict in Chechnya escalated into a brutal war, marked by the establishment of "filtration camps" where civilians were subjected to degrading treatment, torture, and even extrajudicial killings. This inhumane practice was later repeated by Russian troops in parts of Ukraine under their occupation.

The brutal behavior of Russian security forces in Chechnya and Ukraine was not widely known to the public, especially through official Russian media. However, after the Crocus City attack on Friday, the harsh tactics of Russian security services were clearly exposed.

A man suspected of taking part in the attack is escorted by Russian law enforcement officers prior to his pre-trial detention hearing at the Basmanny District Court in Moscow on March 24, 2024.

A man believed to be involved in the attack is being accompanied by Russian law enforcement officers to his pre-trial detention hearing at the Basmanny District Court in Moscow on March 24, 2024.

Image Source: Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP/Getty Images

Video footage and photos circulating on Russian social media suggest that several men believed to be involved in the terror attack were violently interrogated. One video shows a suspect named Saidakrami Rachabalizoda being held on the ground while an interrogator appears to cut part of his ear. Another still image, shared on a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel, indicates the electrocution of a different suspect.

In response to these disturbing images, some influential figures connected to the Kremlin openly expressed satisfaction and pride.

Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russian state propaganda network RT, shared a video on the Russian social network VK. In the video, a suspect in the Crocus City attack appeared to be trembling while being questioned by interrogators.

In a separate post on X, Simonyan uploaded another video. This video showed a handcuffed suspect being escorted into court by security officials, bent over. Additionally, there was a video of Rachabalizoda in court with a bandaged ear.

Expressing her unexpected reaction, Simonyan wrote, "I never thought I would feel this way, but seeing them brought into court bent over, and even with this [severed] ear, brings me nothing but pleasure."

A suspect in Friday's shooting at the Crocus City Hall sits in a wheelchair in the Basmanny District Court in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 24, 2024.

A suspect in Friday's shooting at the Crocus City Hall sits in a wheelchair in the Basmanny District Court in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 24, 2024.

The Kremlin has remained quiet about the issue, with Peskov choosing not to give any comments when questioned about the evidence of mistreatment of suspects. This silence speaks volumes, indicating to both ordinary Russians and the global community that Russian state security forces are capable of any actions.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and interim leader in place of Putin, made strong remarks regarding the tragedy. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Medvedev said, "Everyone keeps asking me, what should be done? They were apprehended. Good job to everyone involved in catching them."

Continuing his comments, Medvedev stated, "Should they be eliminated? Absolutely. And that will happen. However, it is even more crucial to eliminate all those connected. Every individual. Those who funded, supported, or sympathized. Eliminate them all."

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Putin’s ‘predictable’ response to Moscow terror attack: Blame Ukraine

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Medvedev has become a reliable indicator of far-right sentiment in Russia, even though he is no longer a top political player. There seems to be a growing militant sentiment in the country. Despite not having the death penalty, there have been discussions about reviving it. Vladimir Vasiliev, the head of the United Russia faction in parliament, mentioned on state channel Rossiya-24 that lawmakers might consider this issue. He stated that the topic of the death penalty will be thoroughly discussed and a decision will be made based on the sentiments and expectations of society.

The mood of Russia's political class is evident - it is vengeful and considering all possible options. It may be challenging to determine the sentiments of the broader society. Reporting by CNN's Anna Chernova.

Editor's P/S:

The recent terror attack in Russia and the subsequent response by the authorities paint a disturbing picture of the state of affairs in the country. The Kremlin's vague and evasive statements, coupled with reports of violent interrogations and calls for eliminating those connected to the attack, suggest a descent into darkness. The silence from the Kremlin on the mistreatment of suspects speaks volumes about the impunity enjoyed by state security forces.

Putin's rise to power was built on his promise to crack down on terrorists, but his brutal actions in Chechnya and Ukraine have exposed the true nature of his regime. The war in Ukraine has further eroded trust and heightened tensions, creating a fertile ground for extremist groups to operate. The Crocus City attack is a grim reminder of the consequences of Putin's policies and the