Journalism of Courage
President Vladimir Putin met wounded victims of deadly suicide bombings in the southern Russian city of Volgograd on Wednesday,heaping condemnation on the attacks that raised security fears ahead of the Winter Olympics.
No matter what motivated the criminals,there can be no justification for crimes against civilians,particularly against women and children, Putin said in televised comments at the started of a meeting with senior security officials. The vileness of the crime – or crimes – that were committed here,in Volgograd,needs no additional commentary, Putin said during the tightly-controlled visit.
A suicide bomb blast in Volgograds main railway station on Sunday afternoon killed at least 18 people,and a second attacker blew up a trolley bus during rush hour on Monday morning,killing 16 and leaving bodies strewn on the street.
Putin donned a white hospital coat for bedside visits to wounded victims and placed red roses at the site of the trolley bus bombing.
The bombings raised fears of more attacks before Russia holds the Winter Olympics in Sochi a Black Sea resort on the edge of the Caucasus Mountain range 690 km southwest of Volgograd.
We will confidently,fiercely and consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their complete annihilation, Putin told the nation in the New Year address.
The success or failure of the Olympics will form a big part of the legacy of Putin,60. He secured the Games for Sochi in 2007,during his first stint as president,and has not ruled out seeking a new six-year term in 2018. The Games have been a focus for complaints in the West and among Russian liberals that Putin has stifled dissent and encouraged intolerance.
