Analysis of Security Response and Investigation Procedures

Critical Concerns Regarding Emergency Measures

• Impulsive Calls: There is a concern that impulsive calls will only result in panic.
• President's Reaction: The President's reaction is deemed strange. Specifically, the order for the mayor to check all basements within 24 hours is questioned as unrealistic, given the nature of the capital's basements (containing numerous, frequently changing warehouses).
• Basement Security: Many empty basements and attics are reportedly unlocked, and hanging locks is considered useless given the presence of homeless individuals who have been accommodated through the President's efforts.

Concerns Regarding Institutional Management

• FSB Reforms: The President has reformed the FSB several times in a short period. The effectiveness of these reforms is questioned, suggesting that employees under constant threat of downsizing are incapable of professional improvement.
• Public Reporting: The delay in widely distributing the call for citizens to anonymously report suspicious cargo, along with the promise of a monetary reward for finding explosives, is questioned. The homeless individuals in basements could potentially be valuable allies.
• Market Trader Scrutiny: The zealous shaking down of market traders, simulating activity, raises questions about the police leadership's assumptions—whether militants bribe fellow traders or if the police suspect Khattab and Basaev of mental retardation.

Critique of Emergency Response Strategy

• Prevention vs. Reaction: A rhetorical question is posed: why is the path of taking emergency measures always followed, avoiding prevention by all means?
• Resource Allocation: Instead of creating numerous special police units, the author suggests strengthening the service of existing precinct police officers, noting that in Moscow, the average ratio is 10,000 residents per precinct officer.
• Legal Basis: The Minister of Defense's statement that troops will patrol the streets is noted as lacking a legal basis.

The Central Issue: Investigation Division

• Case Division: The main question concerns why the terrorist attack case was divided between two agencies (MVD and FSB) for too long. The author stresses that in international practice, one missed hour in such investigations can cost a hundred lives.
• Procedural Delay: The FSB only seemed to decide to attach the first case to the second after the second explosion.
• Command Structure: The creation of a joint headquarters under the command of the Minister of Internal Affairs is criticized for its lack of logic.
• Proposed Solution: The author argues for a single group, free from other matters, led by an individual (such as a Colonel, no higher) outside hierarchical intrigue, endowed with maximum powers. These specialists, despite downsizing, remain within the FSB. The generals and political figures should be left to their politics.

Author: Roman SHLEYNOV

P.S. FSB Operative Status:
According to reports received directly from the FSB, the operatives handling the terrorist attack case are in a state of slight confusion. They have been burdened with a large volume of work, and the outcome is considered doubtful under the current leadership—organizers of various levels with their broad minds and level of public statements.