Moscow Airport Bombing: Chechen Militant Claims Credit

Page 2 of 2

Feb. 7, 2011

Both women were from Dagestan in the restive North Caucasus region where Russian forces have been battling an Islamist insurgency. One was a 28-year-old schoolteacher, the other the 17-year-old widow of a local militant leader who was killed by Russian forces in 2009.

On Jan. 21, three days before the Domodedovo bombing, Russia's prime minister, Vladimir Putin said Russia must combat terrorism in the North Caucasus by improving the quality of life for the people there.

Emir Doku Umarov, a Chechen militant also known by the name Dokku Abu Usman, took responsibility for the Jan. 24, 2011, suicide bombing of Moscow?s Domodedovo Airport in a video statement released Monday, Feb. 7, 2011.

ABC News

Emir Doku Umarov, a Chechen militant also... View Full Caption

Deadly Bomb Goes Off in Moscow Airport Watch Video

Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 35 at Moscow Airport Watch Video

Terror Suspected in Deadly Moscow Bombing Watch Video

"Our objective is to radically change the situation in the North Caucasus, primarily by improving the quality of life of the people, ensuring their security and giving them the opportunity to work and live in peace," Putin said. "We must eradicate the roots of terrorism and extremism, first of all poverty, unemployment, ignorance and inadequate levels of education, and corruption and lawlessness."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click Here for the Blotter Homepage.