China News Service, March 23 (Reporter He Luman and Meng Xiangjun) "There is a resurgence of domestic terrorism in Russia, and the pressure on counter-terrorism will be great in the future." Zhang Hong, a researcher at the Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told China News Service pointed out during the interview.

　　On March 22, local time, a terrorist attack occurred at a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, a suburb of the Russian capital Moscow, causing hundreds of casualties. This incident shocked the world and was condemned by many countries.

Russian media reported that the audience had already taken their seats before the start of a concert at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk that night. Suddenly several unidentified people broke into the concert hall and opened fire. The concert hall subsequently exploded, caught fire and billowed out thick smoke, and the roof was almost engulfed in flames. The picture shows a screenshot of the live video released. Picture/Visual China

Hundreds of people were killed and injured!

Why did the terrorist attack happen in Russia?

　　On the evening of the 22nd local time, almost all the tickets for the concert had been sold. After most of the audience entered the hall, suddenly several unknown armed men in camouflage uniforms broke into the concert hall and shot with automatic weapons and threw The grenade then exploded and caught fire in the concert hall.

　　The Russian Federal Investigative Committee stated on the 23rd that the number of victims in the serious terrorist attack at the Moscow Oblast Concert Hall in Russia has risen to 93. The committee said the death toll was likely to continue to rise. According to preliminary information, the cause of death was mainly gunshot wounds and poisoning by combustion products.

　　Zhang Hong believes that there are three reasons why this terrorist attack occurred in Russia:

The first is to create terrorist influences and effects.

　　"Terrorism naturally cannot be understood by ordinary people's thinking. Terrorism attacks on civilians first of all to create impact and effect, that is, a panic effect. Terrorists hope to expand their influence through terrorist attacks on civilians." Zhang Hong said.

The second is to retaliate against Russia’s crackdown on extremist organizations.

　　"Terrorist attacks on Russian civilians actually have an element of revenge." Zhang Hong pointed out that from 2015 to 2020, Russia fought against the extremist organization "Islamic State" in Syria, which played a very important role in counter-terrorism in the entire Middle East. "It can be said that it has a heavy historical grudge with the 'Islamic State', which is also one of the important reasons why terrorism targets Russia."

Third, Russia’s security vulnerabilities bring opportunities.

　　"Russia has always played a great influence in supporting the global anti-terrorism cause, but at the same time, Russia also has certain security loopholes, which has also created some objective opportunities for terrorist organizations to launch attacks, which led to this attack. Happened." Zhang Hong analyzed.

On March 22, local time, a shooting occurred at a concert hall in Krasnogorsk, a suburb of the Russian capital Moscow. Pictured is the scene of the incident.

The identity of the attacker is in doubt.

Is it difficult to rule out Western suspicion?

　　After the terrorist attack, according to CNN, the "Islamic State" claimed responsibility for the concert hall attack that occurred on the 22nd in the suburbs of Moscow. However, this statement has not been confirmed by Russia.

　　On the other hand, the Russian "Newspaper" quoted a post from the Russian Telegram account "Baza" on the 23rd as saying that there were allegedly 6 suspects in the terrorist attack, 4 of whom have been identified, and they are all from Tajikistan. citizen. On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan issued a statement denying it, saying "this is false news."

　　On March 23, local time, the Russian Kremlin announced that the director of the Russian Federal Security Service reported to President Putin on the terrorist attack on the "Krocus City" concert hall in Moscow State that a total of 11 people were arrested, including All four suspects were directly involved in the terrorist attack.

　　It is worth noting that long before the terrorist attack occurred, on March 7, the U.S. Embassy in Russia published an early warning announcement on its website, urging American citizens in Moscow not to go to crowded places when going out on Friday and Saturday. This includes the concert hall.

　　A spokesman for the White House said on the 22nd local time that the United States was aware of reports of a mass shooting in Moscow and called the live video "horrifying." The spokesperson said that in the past few weeks, the U.S. Embassy in Russia and the embassies of other NATO countries have issued warnings that the risk of terrorist attacks in Moscow and other parts of Russia has increased.

　　As for who the attacker was, Zhang Hong analyzed that the results of the investigation have not yet been fully released, and are only claimed unilaterally by the "Islamic State". "So Russia still has not ruled out the suspicion of the West and Ukraine." On the other hand, the relationship between Russia and the West is very tense, and Russia and Ukraine are still at war. "So until the results of the investigation are fully released, the suspicion of the West and Ukraine cannot be completely ruled out."

File photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russia's anti-terrorism pressure increases,

Putin may use a "two-pronged approach" to strengthen counter-terrorism

　　Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that within minutes of the incident, Putin was aware of the relevant circumstances of the terrorist attack and continued to grasp the latest information. He had given all necessary instructions regarding the attack on the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow. .

　　Just one day before the terrorist attack, Pamfilova, chairwoman of the Russian Central Election Commission, officially announced on the 21st that current President Putin won the election in the eighth presidential election of the Russian Federation. Putin delivered a speech that day to express his gratitude to all voters.

　　Zhang Hong believes that Putin may take two actions next.

　　"First of all, we need to stabilize the situation and prevent more terrorist attacks and terrorist losses." At present, the Russian Federation Ministry of Culture has announced that all public and entertainment activities in federal cultural institutions have been canceled in the next few days.

　　Zhang Hong said, “The second possibility is to take a series of counter-terrorism actions, such as the elimination and suppression of terrorist organizations in Russia.”

　　"Without the support of local Russian terrorist organizations and terrorists, this terrorist attack would not have been possible. There is a resurgence of domestic terrorism in Russia, and Russia will be under great pressure to fight terrorism in the future," Zhang Hong said. (over)