Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, described the explosion on Wednesday at a supermarket in St. Petersburg as a 'terrorist act' and warned that any armed suspect would be 'immediately targeted.' During the explosion caused by a homemade bomb, 14 people were injured. St. Petersburg is the second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. The explosion caused panic and confusion among shoppers, with a pregnant woman among the injured. On Thursday, during a ceremony honoring military forces involved in Russia's military operations in Syria, Putin stated, 'As you know, a terrorist act was carried out yesterday in St. Petersburg.' He also instructed security forces to take 'decisive action' and eliminate any insurgent who resists 'on the spot.' Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian president, later clarified that Putin was referring to those plotting terrorist operations in the country. Putin's decision two years ago to engage in military operations in Syria and support Bashar al-Assad's regime has made Russia a priority target for the Islamic State or ISIS's hostile operations. Official Russian government sources stated that all those injured in the St. Petersburg incident were transferred to hospitals, with six still hospitalized. The Russian government has announced that it will provide financial assistance to those injured. Earlier this month, the Kremlin announced that information recently received from the United States helped prevent a terrorist attack on the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Earlier this month, Putin personally thanked his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in a phone call for the information provided by the CIA, which helped prevent a series of attacks in St. Petersburg. He also assured Trump that Russian security agencies would continue to share any information regarding terrorist threats with the United States.
Putin: St. Petersburg Explosion Was a Terrorist Act
A terrorist explosion in St. Petersburg injured 14 people, prompting President Putin to declare a decisive response against any armed suspects. This incident highlights ongoing security concerns in Russia, particularly linked to its military involvement in Syria and threats from ISIS.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
An explosion at a supermarket in St. Petersburg was labeled a 'terrorist act' by President Putin, injuring 14 people. The incident has raised alarms about security in Russia, especially in light of ongoing threats from ISIS.
- The explosion was caused by a homemade bomb.
- Putin has ordered security forces to take decisive action against any armed suspects.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Russia's military involvement in Syria has made it a target for terrorist groups like ISIS, which have vowed to retaliate against Russian actions. The Kremlin has been actively working with international partners, including the U.S., to combat these threats.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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