Gunmen storm Chechnya building, at least 16 killed
- 9 years ago
It was a surprise attack.. this building in Grozny where a local media agency is housed, coming under fire from unknown assailants.
Authorities say at least 16 people were killed, including ten police officers and six of the gunmen. Another 28 people are said to have been wounded.
Chechnyan officials say the attackers first opened fire at a police patrol car, killing three officers... and then stormed the building.
The assault took place just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin's state of the union speech... where he vowed to defend Russia against, what he called, efforts to dismember it.
As daylight broke, the buildings continued to burn... a reminder of the fragile security situation in Chechnya where observers say, an Islamist insurgency is reemerging in defiance of Putin's attempts to maintain control.
Authorities say at least 16 people were killed, including ten police officers and six of the gunmen. Another 28 people are said to have been wounded.
Chechnyan officials say the attackers first opened fire at a police patrol car, killing three officers... and then stormed the building.
The assault took place just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin's state of the union speech... where he vowed to defend Russia against, what he called, efforts to dismember it.
As daylight broke, the buildings continued to burn... a reminder of the fragile security situation in Chechnya where observers say, an Islamist insurgency is reemerging in defiance of Putin's attempts to maintain control.