Terrorism in the Russian Federation: Fear and Threat or Tool and Opportunity?
Terrorism in the Russian Federation: Fear and Threat or Tool and Opportunity?

Summary/Abstract: The Russian Federation has been struggling with the phenomenon of terrorism for three decades, since its creation as an independent state emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Spectacular terrorist attacks, although relatively rare, had a profound impact on Russian society, where fear of a terrorist attack and combating-terrorism-driven constraints have become a factor influencing the daily functioning of citizens. The main source of extremists who carry out attacks in Russia are primarily the inhabitants of its autonomous republics in the North Caucasus. The factors that motivate North Caucasus terrorists are the aspiration for the full independence, regarded by the Russian side as separatism, and Sunni Islam. According to some sources, its other government agencies, primarily the FSB, also have a significant impact on the activities of terrorists in Russia. Over the years of the war on terrorism, the administration of Vladimir Putin has developed methods of using terrorism and combating it as a tool in foreign policy and to influence Russian public opinion.

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