Russia's Putin Vows to Fight Terrorists Until Destroyed
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to fight terrorists until their "total destruction," following the two suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd on Sunday and Monday that left 34 people dead.
In his annual New Years address, Putin said that at the country's most trying times, Russia has always been united and consolidated.
Russian authorities have deployed more than 5,000 security force personnel in and around Volgograd in the wake of the bombings.
Suicide Bombings in Volgograd, Russia
In Monday's attack, a bomb blast ripped apart a trolleybus, killing 16 people and injuring 30 others. A day earlier, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the security entrance of the city's main train station in an attack that left 18 dead.
A spokesman for Russia's main investigative agency said the bomb in Monday's explosion was similar to the one used in Sunday's attack, confirming suspicions that they may be linked.
Russia's foreign ministry compared the attacks to similar acts of terrorism in the United States, Iraq and Nigeria. It called for international solidarity in countering terrorism.
The attacks came just weeks before the Winter Olympics open in Sochi, about 650 kilometers southwest of Volgograd. Islamist militants had threatened to attack civilians and disrupt the Winter Games.
The International Olympic Committee expressed its condolences over the bombings, but says it is confident of Russia's ability to provide security.
Russia has introduced some of the most stringent security at any international sporting event, including a limited access security cordon around the entire city of Sochi and requiring spectators to have accreditation documents which include passport details and contact information.
Putin Visits Volgograd, Russia
1/10Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) shakes hands with a man injured in a bomb blast, Volgograd, Russia, Jan. 1, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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2/10Pallbearers carry the coffin of Denis Andreev, age 24, who was killed by a suicide bomb blast in the main railway station, Volgograd, Russia, Jan. 1, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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3/10Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the site of a trolley bus explosion, Volgograd, Russia, Jan. 1, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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4/10Security personnel patrol the streets, central Volgograd, Russia, Jan. 1, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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5/10A policeman patrols a street with New Year's decorations, central Volgograd, Russia, Jan. 1, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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6/10A woman cries outside the main railway station, Volgograd, Russia, Dec. 31, 2013.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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7/10Investigators work at the site of a blast on a bus in Volgograd, Russia, Dec. 30, 2013.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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8/10Members of the emergency services work at the site of a bomb blast on a bus in Volgograd, Russia, Dec. 30, 2013.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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9/10Smoke pours out of the railway station after an explosion, Volgograd, Russia, Dec. 29, 2013.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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10/10Investigators work at the site of an explosion near the entrance to a train station in Volgograd, Russia, Dec. 29, 2013.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the city of Volgograd, the site of this week's twin suicide bombings that left 34 people dead.
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