Two suicide bombings have occurred in the city of Volgograd in Russia in the span of just two days. On Sunday, an explosion occurred at the Volgograd train station, killing 17 people and injuring at least 35. The most recent bombing was on Monday, and killed 14 people.
“This strike, which was cynically planned for the period of preparations for New Year’s celebrations, is one more attempt by terrorists to open a domestic front, sow panic and chaos, and trigger religious strife and conflicts in Russian society,” said a statement by Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. We will not back down and will continue our tough and consistent offensive” against terrorism.
The bombings raised questions and concerns about the 2014 Olympics set to begin in Sochi in six weeks, but it seems so far that no changes have been made.
National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said Monday that United States offers its “full support to the Russian government in security preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games…We would welcome the opportunity for closer cooperation for the safety of the athletes, spectators, and other participants.”
