Bloodshed In Chechnya As Islamic Militants Attack Police

Moscow: In a stunning return to siege-style violence in the Russian region of Chechnya, well-armed Islamist militants seized an empty school and office building before an hours-long shootout that pushed the death toll to at least 20, authorities said.

The bloodshed in Grozny - where at least 10 militants and 10 police officers were killed - was an unwelcome reminder of the 1990s strife in Chechnya between Russian forces and separatist insurgents.

The region has since experienced relative peace in recent years under the strong-arm governance of Kremlin-allied President Ramzan Kadyrov.

The timing of the attack also suggested an attempt to maximise the blow - coming just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered an annual state of the nation speech in Moscow. Mr Putin gained much of his initial political credibility as Russia's leader by shutting down the insurgency and from his tough approach to Chechen-linked terrorist attacks elsewhere in Russia.

more...

http://www.smh.com.au/world/bloodshed-in-chechnya-as-islamic-militants-attack-police-20141205-120k8j.html

Well this should warm the cockles of our resident McCarthyites hearts, indeed.