The GAZ-53 truck, which suited us in price. I don't remember how much I paid for this truck.
I want to state that I do not remember all the circumstances exactly, therefore I cannot reconstruct them; there may be small inaccuracies in my testimony.
Preparation
Not far from the exchange, at a woodworking plant, we bought boards in order to increase the rear tailgate of the GAZ-53. We agreed on the purchase of the boards in advance, before buying the truck.
Then we drove the GAZ-53 to the motor depot where the 'KAMAZ' was parked, then we placed polyethylene film on the bottom of the GAZ-53's bed and boarded up the rear tailgate.
On the night before the explosion (from September 14 to 15), Batchaev and Krymshamkhalov transferred the explosives from the 'KAMAZ' to the GAZ-53.
As far as I remember, they poured the explosive mixture out of the bags they brought, as Batchaev said this needed to be done for a powerful explosion to occur.
The empty bags were also left in the GAZ. They covered the mixture with potatoes from above.
I don't know when Batchaev installed the detonator. I cannot say whether he did it immediately or the next day.
Planning the Explosion
Then we went to the dam and Batchaev said he wouldn't be able to blow it up, without explaining the reasons to me.
Then Batchaev or Krymshamkhalov (I don't remember exactly who) suggested leaving the truck near the house where the previous owner of the GAZ-53 lived, setting a timer, and blowing up the truck.
At first I did not agree, but they persuaded me. This conversation took place at the market while we were selling potatoes to create an alibi for ourselves.
Explosion Details
The time of the explosion was not discussed with me. Batchaev handled that himself.
I did not see how he installed the detonator, and I didn't see the detonator itself.
I called the old owner of the truck and asked him to park the truck near