“Whirlwind” is enough for us

Russian intelligence services will strengthen airport security and check attics

The leaders of domestic law enforcement agencies reacted more than calmly to the dramatic events in the United States and the potential threat of a repetition of this in Russia. In the first hours after reports of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, an alarming silence hung over our intelligence services. Representatives of the departments stated that, of course, some kind of reaction would follow, but only after the leadership returned from a meeting with the president, where appropriate instructions should be given. When the ministers returned, it became clear that no one yet saw a big threat to Russia’s security in what happened overseas. Moreover, our intelligence services seem to feel so confident that they have already offered their assistance to the American authorities both in investigating these truly monstrous crimes and in eliminating their consequences.

Representatives of both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB of the Russian Federation told a correspondent of the Vremya Novostey newspaper that although they would strengthen their work, they would not take any fundamentally new and unprecedented measures in connection with the terrorist attacks in the United States. “Yes, of course, we will carry out the necessary operational measures,” said the counterintelligence officers, “but lately the FSB has already been working in an intensive mode in connection with the events in Chechnya.” Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov, according to his subordinates, offered US authorities assistance in investigating the terrorist attacks. As stated in the office of this department, in Russia there will be no special events in connection with them. “As long as there is a conflict in Chechnya, we have worked and will continue to work according to a special schedule,” the police noted. -- For example, from zero hours on September 11, the “Whirlwind-anti-terror” operation began in the largest cities and regions of Russia, which is aimed at fighting terrorists. Among other things, it provides for enhanced protection of embassies and diplomatic missions.” By the way, both the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs almost simultaneously stated that thanks to such enhanced measures, major terrorist attacks have recently been prevented. And counterintelligence officers even made it clear that until recently the US authorities did not want to take them into account regarding the fight against global terrorism and treated this problem, to put it mildly, strangely (hinting at the contacts of US officials with Chechen separatists). As for specific security measures, as of yesterday evening it was decided to resume the more than once introduced practice of enhanced security (with the involvement of internal troops) of airports, train stations, oil depots, water intakes and other strategic facilities. The corresponding instruction was sent to all law enforcement units by the presidential representative in the Central Federal District. And Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, in addition to all this, remembering the explosions in residential buildings, ordered the capital's police to once again check all basements and attics in the city. Aviation services, for their part, introduced a complete ban on all flights over Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Russian rescuers responded most effectively and quickly to the events in the United States. Already two hours after the tragedy at the EMERCOM airfield in Ramenskoye, two Il-76s were prepared for takeoff with employees of Tsentrospas and the special risk squad of the Ministry of Emergency Situations “Leader” (total number of about 120 people), who had search dogs and everything necessary for work on the spot. disaster equipment. As soon as the US authorities give (if at all) consent to Russian assistance, they should immediately take off.

Alexander SHVAREV, Victor PAUKOV