Terror in Moscow's shadow: Putin's strategic dilemma post-attack

For the last several days, the world has been grappling with a devastating terrorist attack on Moscow's outskirts. Experts interviewed by "Fakt" point out that this tragedy highlights the vulnerabilities within Putin's regime. What strategies might the Russian leader adopt in response? The speculations are worrisome.

A catastrophic terrorist incident occurred at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow. This event resulted in the tragic loss of 144 lives. Nearly a hundred others sustained injuries, with many still undergoing treatment in hospitals. The scale of this tragedy has not only shaken Russia but has also drawn international concern.

The terror attack was claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province.

Will Putin leverage this dreadful event to further his agenda? He has already insinuated that "there is a Ukrainian element involved." "Fakt" reached out to experts to discuss the potential repercussions of the attack in Krasnogorsk.

"What Putin does next remains to be seen. He took nearly a day to respond to the attack. In a brief 5-minute statement, he implied a Ukrainian involvement. While the propaganda swiftly latched onto this narrative, the Islamic aspect remains notably significant," explained Anna Łabuszewska, author of the blog "17 Moments of Russia" and a former analyst at the Centre for Eastern Studies, to "Fakt".

According to Łabuszewska, we should consider Putin's response in two parts: the visible actions and those occurring behind closed doors.

"The visible failure of the special services must be skillfully managed. Propaganda will be used to defend the government's actions. It highlights 'Russian peace' as a theme of solidarity and collaboration, showing people donating blood for the victims, among other things. Given the focus on anti-Ukrainian sentiment, signals of an impending attack might have been overlooked. Putin even dismissed warnings from the USA," Łabuszewska added.

The author of "17 Moments of Russia" anticipates potential reshuffling within the Russian elite.

Read more: She created a portrait of Putin. Up close, the details are astonishing.

Another expert, Prof. Nikołaj Iwanow from Opole University, talked to "Fakt" about his expectations. He predicts that Putin might opt for mobilization, leading to increased assaults on Ukraine, possibly even targeting Kyiv's heart.

"This scenario will likely be paired with a strong display of patriotism and rhetoric emphasizing the urgency of defending the homeland. More individuals might receive military conscription notices, especially since an electronic delivery system for these documents has recently been launched. This mobilization might not be declared openly but implemented gradually," Prof. Nikołaj Iwanow explained.

So, is it plausible that Putin could be behind the terrorists' attack? Prof. Nikołaj Iwanow doesn't support this theory; however, it doesn't negate the possibility that the attack served Putin's purposes well.