MOSCOW — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed retribution was “inevitable” for the suicide bombing that killed 35 people at Russia’s busiest airport, while President Dmitry Medvedev demanded robust checks at all transport hubs and lashed out at the airport for lax security.
NTV television showed a photograph of what it said was the detached head of the suspected bomber, a man who appeared to be in his 30s. Investigators said DNA testing will be necessary before he can be identified.
No claims of responsibility have been made for the attack Monday at Domodedovo Airport, which also left 180 people injured. Suspicion is likely to fall, however, on Islamist separatist insurgents from Chechnya or elsewhere in Russia’s restive Caucasus region who have been battling Russian authority for more than 15 years.
Chechen insurgents have claimed responsibility for previous attacks in Moscow, including a double suicide bombing on the capital’s subway system in March that killed 40 people. They also have hit Domodedovo Airport before, with two suicide bombers slipping through its security in 2004 to kill 90 people.
Authorities in the Czech Republic and Ukraine beefed up airport security Tuesday in response to the blast. The British agency responsible for Europe’s busiest airport, London’s Heathrow, refused to comment on any new possible security measures but has said security is always under review.
Putin said he had “no doubt” that the crime would be solved and that “vengeance” against the organizers was “inevitable.” He pledged the equivalent of $101,000 for the families of those killed in the attack.
Me dvedev described Domodedovo Airport security as being in “a state of anarchy” and said its management must bear key responsibility for the security failures that contributed to Monday’s blast.
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“It is obvious that there are system errors in ensuring people’s safety, and in managing this transportation facility,” he said.
Airport management objected, saying transport police were responsible for the inspection of people coming into the international arrivals area where the bombing took place.
The Russian president also vowed to fire or discipline government security officials for any lapses.
The blast occurred as Russia plans to host major international events such as the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi andthe 2018 World Cup. Medvedev also will make an appearance this week seeking investors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday that it has “no doubt” that Russia will deliver a safe Winter Games in Sochi, even though the Black Sea resort is relatively close to the volatile North Caucasus region.
“Security at Sochi 2014 is already highest priority and plans [are] constantly under review,” Sochi organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said.
Many athletes, officials and visitors traveling to Sochi will need to take connecting flights in Moscow.
Putin rose to power largely on his stance against terror, including a vow that Chechen rebels would be hunted down and killed “in the outhouse.” But despite launching the second Russia-Chechnya war and pushing hard against suspected rebels, he was unable to wipe out the Chechen insurgency during his 2000-2008 presidency.
In addition, it’s unclear what levers Putin could pull now if he aims to exact retribution. After the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis that left more than 330 people dead, Putin pushed through changes that made regional governors appointed rather than elected.
Medvedev on Tuesday suggested that officials at the Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service could be at fault.
He also called for “total examination” of passengers and baggage at key transport centers. “This will make it longer for passengers, but it’s the only way,” he said.
Domodedovo, 26 miles southeast of Moscow, is the largest of the three major airports serving the capital, handling more than 22 million passengers last year.
Information for this article was contributed by Jim Heintz of The Associated Press, by Lyubov Pronina, Ilya Arkhipov, Irina Savu, Andra Timu, Henry Meyer and Marina Sysoyeva of Bloomberg News and by Sergei L. Loiko of the Los Angeles Times.
Front Section, Pages 6 on 01/26/2011