Russia: At least 39 people were killed and more than 100 injured after an explosion ripped through a busy underground train in central Moscow during the morning rush hour yesterday.
Russian authorities blamed the apparent terrorist attack on Chechen suicide bombers, although no group has so far claimed responsibility. The Moscow metro system is used by 9 million people a day.
Mr Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, speaking on television, accused Aslan Maskhadov, a Chechen rebel leader, of being behind the attack.
"We do not need any indirect confirmation. We know for certain that Maskhadov and his bandits are linked to this terrorism."
However, in a telephone interview, Mr Akhmed Zakayev, a spokesman for Maskhadov, denied the accusation, and condemned the attack. "It is a horrific crime which cannot be justified by any cause. We condemn any form of terrorism whoever stands behind it."
Mr Dmitry Rogozin, a leader of the nationalist pro-Kremlin "Motherland" party, called for a state of emergency to be declared in Moscow. He called the attack an "ethnic" crime which must receive a most decisive response from the Kremlin.
His tough stance on the war in Chechnya helped to bring Mr Putin to power four years ago. But coming just six weeks before the presidential elections on March 14th which Mr Putin is almost certain to win, the latest attack is a deadly reminder of the failure of the Kremlin to resolve the conflict.
Ms Anna Politkovskaya, one of Russia's most reputed war correspondents and critic of Russia's policies in Chechnya, said: "Unfortunately, this kind of terrorist act was predictable. Every day Chechens disappear from their homes - led away by people in camouflage clothes with Kalashnikovs. Sometimes their bodies turn up, sometimes not. But their relatives seek revenge."
Despite the obvious importance of the Chechen problem for Russia, it did not feature as an issue in the parliamentary elections last year, and is unlikely to be raised in next month's presidential elections.
Russian media, much of which is controlled by the state, rarely reports on Chechnya.
Mr Dmitry Trenin, a political analyst at Carnegie Moscow Centre, said: "This attack was designed to cause as much pain as possible, and to attract attention to Chechnya. It is a reminder that while Russian society may have forgotten about Chechnya, Chechnya remembers Russia.
"Every time I go down into the underground I wonder if I will finish my journey. Now nine million people will feel they are playing Russian roulette."
Ms Irina Khakamada, a leader of the liberal Union of Right Forces and a presidential candidate, said the explosion showed Russian security services had failed to prevent terrorism.
"The terrible terrorist act takes place against the background of presidential elections, and is undoubtedly caused by the unresolved situation in Chechnya whatever anyone says about the legitimacy of its government," she said. - (Financial Times)