Last week's terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, just outside Moscow, has sent shockwaves throughout Russia and the international community. This brutal assault, carried out by Islamic State gunmen, left over 130 people dead, marking it as the deadliest act of terrorism in Russia for decades.
In the wake of a horrific tragedy, Russia finds itself at a critical juncture. This deadly episode stands as the most severe act of terrorism the country has faced in decades, challenging the very foundations of the Russian state's promise of security to its people. The incident unfolds against the backdrop of an already tense political landscape, with Russia embroiled in a grueling war of attrition against Ukraine. This external conflict, while taxing in its own right, has inadvertently exposed vulnerabilities within Russia's internal security mechanisms.
Why it matters
