While Russia prepares for the quickly approaching Winter Olympics it seems a villain has risen to the occasion to stomp their efforts. Doku Umarov, leader of an Islamist movement within Russia, has raised eyebrows with the increase in mass bombings as the date for the Winter Olympics being held in Sochi creeps closer.
Last June, Doku Umarov uploaded a video published on a rebel website stating clearly that his followers must do everything in their power to ensure that the Games do not take place this February. Meanwhile, the Kremlin, Russia’s government, struggles to contain the militants.
Umarov’s followers have clearly done as asked as evidenced by mass bombings concentrated in North Caucasus, an area adjacent to Sochi. These bombings have already wounded 104 people, with 58 still in serious condition. Before last year Umarov claimed responsibility for many attacks in Russia, including suicide bombings on the Moscow metro in 2010 and at Domodedovo airport in 2011, resulting in a total of 77 deaths.
Russia is flustered as they tighten down on their security, following concerns over the Olympics. Both Russia’s and Britain’s security services are cooperating on security before the Games. Russia has reached out to the U.S. and Georgia, two countries with which their relationship is on thin ice, to cooperate and aid them in protecting Sochi.
Cars from outside the Olympic zone are currently being banned before the Winter Games, and Sochi’s residents are having their identities thoroughly checked to ensure no threats are lurking within the village.
There is also a concern that perhaps the terrorists planted sleeper agents in Sochi long before the security was increased or even that the facilities of the games have been compromised during their construction. Still, Russian officials deny the accusations while scrambling to pay their utmost attention to Games’ welfare.
Outside Sochi, the Russian government has been taking extra precautions to increase the security at train stations and airports for the New Year’s holiday, but it looks like this maximum security will be extended for the Games as well.
The Sochi organizers have also placed extreme emphasis on identity checks and security measures. Anyone trying to obtain a ticket to attend the games will have to buy it online from the organizers and obtain a “spectator pass” for access. Doing this will also require providing passport details that allow the authorities to screen all visitors.
From the increase of security to the difficult process of obtaining a ticket, this lack of control over the Islamic militants is certainly hurting Vladimir Putin’s credibility. Putin himself has said he is bringing fourth stability in Russia, but with this growing concern over whether or not it is the best time to be having these games in Russia, it certainly puts him in a tight corner.
