Moscow 1999. Blown up houses. The capital is in panic. Strongmen and fear - on the streets of Russian cities. The beginning of the second Chechen war. The beginning of Putin's first term

March 22, 2024. Ruthless shooting of civilians in the concert hall Crocus City Hall. Dozens of dead, hundreds of wounded civilians. The war is in full swing. The beginning of Putin's fifth term.

What governments around the world have repeatedly warned about over the past two weeks has happened. Putin has ignored these warnings, moreover, he has accused the West of blackmail and thus facilitated the realization of this bloody terrorist act.

On this basis, the Congress of People's Deputies places full responsibility for what happened on the current government, its security forces and its head, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

The Congress of People's Deputies is extremely concerned that what has happened unleashes those who are interested in taking extraordinary measures in the country - mobilization, martial law, another tightening of repressive legislation, persecution of opposition forces.

25 years ago, the Kremlin declared the Chechens its main enemies. Today its main enemies are Russian volunteers and Ukraine.

The Congress of People's Deputies declares that the Chechen fighters then and the fighters of the Freedom of Russia Legion today have nothing to do with this crime. But people in the epaulettes of the Russian security services do, even if it was in the form of criminal inaction.

Terrorism has no justification. State terrorism - even more so. State terrorism against its own citizens is disgusting and especially despicable.

People in shoulder straps who attack civilians, no matter from whom they received orders, are ordinary bandits. And we should deal with them, and especially with their leaders, even if they consider themselves presidents, accordingly. No matter who and what they cover themselves with, no matter who they write off their crimes to, they will not be able to deceive us.

The Congress of People's Deputies declares: this crime will be investigated. The guilty will be punished.

The power in Russia will be different, and it is inevitable. The agony of the aging dictator, which is taking more and more lives of Russians, must be ended as soon as possible. This is our duty to Russians, Ukrainians and the whole world.

Condolences to the families of the victims and the injured, to all Russians, to all those who suffer at the hands of the Kremlin terrorists.