Circling the Lion's Den

FSB training in Ryazan

On September 23, 1999 in Ryazan at house 14/16 Ul. Novoselov, in the outskirts there were found bags with hexogen thanks to watchful tenants. Nears the house it was noticed a car Zhiguli with hidden numbers from which several men were loading the bags into the basement. The tenants were evacuated and the explosive mechanism was neutralized by the sappers from Engineering-technical department by militia of public security, Ryazan. First it was announced that by force s of militia and FSB officers there had been prevented the act of terrorism.

Express analysis which was carried out with use of gas analyzer by the specialists on explosive technics, Ryazansky UVD showed a presence of hexogen fumes into the found material. The disclosed explosive material was immediately sent to Moscow and local leadership of FSB reported on successfully prevented tragedy.

In two days FSB leadership, Russia stated that in Ryazan there were carried out organized by this service training on check of tactical efficiency of local power structures and watchful of citizens. Bags found in the house, Ul. Novoselov proved to contain ordinary refined sugar and the indication fixed the fumes of hexagen - only the experts’ mistake. In some comments FSB leadership mentioned on insufficient qualification by Ryazan sappers and improper maintenance of the devices.

By the results of the training a preparation of Ryazan special services to the prevention of terrorist actions was estimated as eighty per cents one and the more remarkable participants were awarded by money premiums and valuable presents.

In February, 2000 "Novaya gazeta" raised a scandal around "Ryazan training" by accusing FSB in blast preparation. This version was caught by TV company NTV which devoted one of its issue by the program "Independent investigation" to this subject.

Participants:

Resources:

  • Novaya gazeta 14.02.2000 "What was in Ryazan: sugar or hexagen?"
  • Novaya gazeta 28.02.2000 "Sugar or hexagen 2"
  • ITAR-TASS 22.03.200 "Former commander of "Vympel" sub-unit by FSB Russia demolished the information about use of the explosive by special services during the training in Ryazan last autumn"
  • Novosty Ekaterinburg 22.03.2000 "Scandal around statements by representatives of "Yabloko" unit about FSB belonging to the blasts in Russian cities goes on"
  • Novaya gazeta 27.03.2000 "FSB. Hexagen. Ryazan - 2"
  • Novaya gazeta 03.04.2000 "Hexagen. Ryazan. FSB or BAB?"
  • Obschaya gazeta 30.03.2000 "A cup of tea with hexagen"