At least 35 people killed and more than 100 injured in a suicide bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport; Russian President Medvedev vows to track down and punish those responsible for the gruesome incident; International community condemns Moscow attack;
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    • In a suicide bomb attack at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, at least 35 people have been killed more than 100 people were injured. Reports noted that the attack bore an uncanny resemblance to the methods and tactics used by militants who have been fighting for a separate Islamist state in the North Caucasus. The goal of the rebels is to unite five Muslim majority Russian provinces of North Caucasus into a single, independent state ruled by Sharia law.1

    Meanwhile, Russian President Medvedev has vowed to track down and punish those responsible for the gruesome incident. International condemnation and sympathy poured in for Russia with US President Barrack Obama offering Russia help and condemning the outrageous act of terrorism.2

    In the aftermath of the blasts, President Dmitry Medvedev immediately ordered authorities to beef up security at Moscow's two other commercial airports and other key transport facilities. He also postponed his plan to visit Davos where he was going to promote Russia as a safe, profitable investment haven to world business leaders.3

    In a significant development, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed the ratification of a nuclear arms cut pact with the United States. The document slashes the Russian and US nuclear arsenals to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads, down from the current ceiling of 2,200. The new arms reduction accord, replacing START 1, which expired in December 2009, was signed by Russian President Medvedev and US President Obama in Prague in April 2010. The treaty will formally come into force after the exchange of ratification documents, which is due to take place at the meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers scheduled for February 3-4 2011 at Munich. The new treaty will define parameters for strategic nuclear arms reductions over the next decade.4

    In other developments, Russia’s Rosneft has signed an agreement worth US$ 1 billion with Exxon Mobil to develop oil and gas resources in the Black Sea. This is aimed at boosting Russia’s energy sector amidst concerns of investing in the country plagued by bureaucratic red-tapism and corruption. The agreement gives Exxon access to Russian resources and Russia access to Exxon's technology. They will explore an 11,200-square-kilometer deep water offshore area in Russia's sector of the Black Sea. The two firms already work together in oil fields off Sakhalin in Russia's Pacific Far East, but this is their first deal in the Black Sea.5

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