State forces blamed over Beslan

BBC News ^ | Tuesday, 29 November 2005

[lizol]

State forces blamed over Beslan

Russian security forces were partly to blame for last year's school hostage crisis in Beslan, investigators from the North Caucasus have concluded. The hostage-taking raid by pro-Chechen gunmen led to the deaths of 331 people.

The North Ossetian parliament commission said the school had been seized because of "failings in the law enforcement bodies".

Many relatives blame their children's deaths on a botched rescue operation, in which fire engulfed the school.

The head of the commission, Stanislav Kesayev, said the identified "failings" included "the fact that a large number of armed people gained access to a major rail and air hub like Beslan without being noticed".

The commission said the findings should lead to "organisational" consequences.

Heavy weapons

The report, quoted by the Interfax news agency, concluded that grenade launchers, flamethrowers and tank fire were used during the storming of the school.

But it is not clear from the news report whether investigators believe the children were still in the school at the time, the BBC's Emma Simpson says.

Earlier this year Russia's prosecutor general admitted such equipment had been used, but only after all the children had left the school.

For weeks after the siege Russian officials had denied the use of flamethrowers.

Some of the bereaved parents say flamethrowers were used while hostages were still in the school.

The report released on Tuesday said the various security forces involved at the scene had given contradictory information about their actions.

Eight parliamentary deputies who witnessed the school siege were on the commission, Mr Kesayev said.

A separate investigating team overseen by Russian deputy prosecutor-general Nikolai Shepel has been given until 1 March to deliver its findings.

[Andy from Beaverton]

What? No blaming the Islamofacist?

[ncountylee]

Is Russia going PC?

[Redbob]

The rescue operation was so bad it almost seemed as if Janet Reno was in charge...

[Mount Athos]

This is classic BBC.

There is no mention in the article whatsoever that atrocity-loving muslim terrorists mass murdered hundreds of children.

The article almost suggests the police schemed to make it happen.

[cripplecreek]

Stick around, we're sure to see lots of postings confirming a PC attitude.

[marron]

Its an excellent idea to analyze police response and tactics in order to improve them. But they should never lose sight of who was at fault. The people who did it are at fault. The Chechens and their backers did this. This crime is theirs and theirs alone.

People who are capable of committing a crime like this, people capable of ordering a crime like this, must never be allowed to take power under any circumstances.

[Red Badger]

I'd blame the terrorists.........

[GarySpFc]

The report, quoted by the Interfax news agency, concluded that grenade launchers, flamethrowers and tank fire were used during the storming of the school.
For weeks after the siege Russian officials had denied the use of flamethrowers.
Some of the bereaved parents say flamethrowers were used while hostages were still in the school.

This is the typical blame game. What actually happened is the terrorists had a 152MM round attached to a basketball goal. It fell and set off an explosion, and now the Spetsnaz are being blamed. Additionally, some of the parents rushed to the scene and shot the Spetsnaz in the back.

The reason the army is being blamed is because a bumblebee was used. The Spetsnaz Bumblebee is NOT a flamethrower, but more like a bazooka, with several types of rounds, including percussion and one similar to a fuel air bomb. During a raid a percussion round or grenade is thrown or fired into a room to disorient the terrorists, while the Spetsnaz gain entry. If the fuel air round was fired it would have sucked all of the air out of the area, and fires don't burn without air. When the explosion from the 152MM round went off the Spetsnaz likely set off a Bumblebee to further distract the terrorists, and gain entry for the Spetsnaz, and now the parents want to blame the government, and so naturally the Bumblebee did it. Never mind that the 152mm shell leveled the building and set it on fire. It's just like America, either Bush or Putin are to blame.

[GarySpFc]

I thought you would like to see my post.

To: lizol
The report, quoted by the Interfax news agency, concluded that grenade launchers, flamethrowers and tank fire were used during the storming of the school.
For weeks after the siege Russian officials had denied the use of flamethrowers.
Some of the bereaved parents say flamethrowers were used while hostages were still in the school.

This is the typical blame game. What actually happened is the terrorists had a 152MM round attached to a basketball goal. It fell and set off an explosion, and now the Spetsnaz are being blamed. Additionally, some of the parents rushed to the scene and shot the Spetsnaz in the back.

The reason the army is being blamed is because a bumblebee was used. The Spetsnaz Bumblebee is NOT a flamethrower, but more like a bazooka, with several types of rounds, including percussion and one similar to a fuel air bomb. During a raid a percussion round or grenade is thrown or fired into a room to disorient the terrorists, while the Spetsnaz gain entry. If the fuel air round was fired it would have sucked all of the air out of the area, and fires don't burn without air. When the explosion from the 152MM round went off the Spetsnaz likely set off a Bumblebee to further distract the terrorists, and gain entry for the Spetsnaz, and now the parents want to blame the government, and so naturally the Bumblebee did it. Never mind that the 152mm shell leveled the building and set it on fire. It's just like America, either Bush or Putin are to blame.

9 posted on 11/29/2005 1:49:00 PM CST by GarySpFc (De Oppresso Liber)

[Sender]

This was a nightmare situation. Imagine if your children were held hostage, surrounded by explosives and crazy people who would blow them all up at the slightest provocation. The security forces did everything they could.

Who killed the children? Chechen Islamist crazies. Crazies who didn't negotiate a deal, they were killed and/or taken to a lovely place for interrogation. I'm not sure how the rescuers could have done much better since the crazies would have blown up the kids as soon as they suspected something was in play.

The only way to prepare for such a situation is to be damn sure your children don't ever end up in such a situation. That, and kill the SOBs before they come to town.

[GarySpFc]

Many of the Chechen Islamists were on drugs, and so what do you think happened? I know, I know, Putin is to blame.

[Sender]

I know you are being sarcastic but just in case, I don't think Putin was to blame for Beslan. I blame Mohammed and his organization.

[GarySpFc]

Yes, I was being sarcastic, because there are people on these boards and in Russia who blame Putin for everything, including the sun coming up and going down.

[jb6]

It's the BBC, if the whole report said for 100 pages ISLAM TO BLAME and then the last or just one sentance said the lack of security by police was also to blame, the BBC would have the same headline as this one. The British government and the British media whores for islam all the time, as long as its away from British shores. Look at how many Brits get recruited for Jihads across the globe. The idiots in Blair's government hope that they all get killed off and don't come back to blow up Brits....here's to spitting in the wind.

[mym]

Addition:
In Beslan were 2 Spetsnaz brigades. The 1st ("Alpha") had the training on the other end of Beslan, ~40 km from the school. The 2nd ("Vympel) controlled the school and vicinity. When the storm spontaneously started "Vympel" took the main participation. "Alpha" came later and entered the battle, their training plans became useless.

Died: 7 officers of "Vympel", 3 officers of "Alpha".

[mym]

Alexander Perov, major ("Alpha"), was leading one of the assault teams. In the combat terminated one of the 4-squad terrirosts, that do extensive fire at the room with 150 hostages. Personally covered children's evacuation from school. Forestalling the grenade explosion, the officer shielded 3 children by himself. Even with vital wounds he continue to comand the team.

Dmitry Razumovskiy, lieutenant colonel ("Vympel"), was leading one of the assault teams, terminated 2 terrorists near the school yard. Revealed masked weapon emplacement that was machine-gunning the running children. Distracting the machine-gunners attention to himself, break through to the emplacement. Had got the vital wound saving the hostages.

Oleg Il'in, lieutenant colonel ("Vympel"), was one of the first into action, terminated 2 terrorist in close combat, suppressed the others in the first phase of operation. Covered the running children and wounded doctor. With missile wound did not turn to the rear, continued to suppress the incoming fire and encounered the second wave of terrorist, trying to escape from school. Sacrificing his life, he covered the hostages and made possible to deploy other teams.

Andrey Turkin, lieutenant ("Vympel"), terminated the terrorist at the school's entrance, and made possible to begin evacuation in room with 250 hostages. The grenade that was rolling to the crowd of hostages he covered by his body.

Vyacheslav Malyarov, major ("Alpha"), cut the extensive fire on children inside the corridor by his body. With vital wounds he continued the combat and wounded 2 terrorists, thus making them run.

Oleg Los'kov, ensign ("Alpha"), with the assualt team encountered the group of terrorists trying to escape with hostages. He wounded one of the terrorists, and shielded the group of hostages.

Andrey Vel'ko, major ("Vympel"), with the assault team was one of the first entering the school. Terminated one of the terrorists and covered the group. Then entered in contact with terrorist, that was moving with the hostages, and killed him. Received a lot of vital wounds during hostages extraction.

Roman Kasatonov, major ("Vympel"), during the siege entered the school and terminated 2 of the terrorists. Found out 2 childrens, and during their evacuation was killed with machine-gun fire.

Michail Kuznetsov, major ("Vympel"), during the special operation was able to evacuate 20 hostages, and was killed during the close combat with 2 terrorists, both were dead by his hand.

Denis Pudovkin, ensign ("Vympel"), terminated one of the terrorist that was firing at running children. Under the heavy fire he was evacuating the wounded. Even with missile wound he continue the job. Shielded the woman from the bullets, and killed another terrorist, but received the vital wounds.

Thank, you, heroes!

[marron]

And thank you for your post.

I sent my condolences to the Russian embassy when this occurred. I suppose its an insignificant gesture, but I didn't know what else to do.

I am still shaken by what happened in Beslan.

[jb6]

A very close friend of mine in Moscow, a former Spetsnaz captain lost one of his friends in the Omega team in Beslan.

[cripplecreek]

Great post.

Russia gets similar treatment in the media as the USA, sadly there are plenty of FReepers living in the past who take every opportunity to attack a nation and people they know nothing about.