Suspect In Railway Station Bombing In Volgograd Identified
Officials in Russia revealed that they already have the identity of the man involved in the train station bombing in Volgograd recently. The man was identified as Pavel Pechyonkin. The suspect became a part of a militant group after converting to Islam. Pechyonkin reportedly joined fighters in the Dagestan region after quitting his job as a paramedic.
DNA analysis of a blood sample of the father of the suspect confirmed his identity. Two videotaped appeals from the parents of Pechyonkin to leave the group were rejected by the suspect.
Pechyonkin reportedly created a video in response to the initial appeal of his parents. He said he will not abandon the militant group. There were no indications that he replied to the second appeal of his parents.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia said in a meeting with the Interior Ministry and Federal Security Service heads that the crimes committed against civilians was not justified. He also promised to wipe out the terrorists behind the bombing in Volgograd. He also gave assurances on safety during the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
Authorities believe that the two attacks in Volgograd were connected. Patrols along transport facilities in Russia were also increased by the Interior Ministry. Thirty-four people were killed in the two bombings in the southern city of Volgograd.
The head of the successor agency of the KGB was called by Putin before he was sent to Volgograd to monitor the investigation. He also discussed the situation with the interior minister.
Even as numerous bombings have occurred in Russia for a number of years, it was mostly limited to the North Caucasus region. Three bombings have occurred in Volgograd in two months, which indicate that the transportation hub is being used by militants to demonstrate their reach in places beyond their region.
Although no one has claimed responsibility for either the railway station or bus bombing in Volgograd, it came after a call by Chechen militant leader Doku Umarov to increase attacks against targets in Russia.