The Moscow Theater Rescue operation is also known as the 2002 Nord-Ost siege and we are saying tactical and military units utilizing strategies learned from this operation into their training. Why? Well, for many reasons but probably the biggest reasons would be that a) it was a terrorist attack, b) things went wrong and large amounts of hostages died, c) worldwide implications.
The Moscow theater hostage crisis occurred on October 23rd, 2002, when 40-50 armed Chechen terrorists entered the sold out performance of Nord-Ost at the House of Culture of State Ball Bearing Plate Number 1 in Moscow. The terrorists immediately took approximately 850 to 900 people hostage including members of the audience and performers. The terrorists had several demands but the main one was to have Russia withdraw from the Chechnyan region. Of course, this was not going to happen so the Russians began devising a plan.
The police and special forces on scene knew that the layout of the theatre was difficult. They would easily have to encounter obstacles such as a 30 metres of corridor and a well-defended staircase. This made the area a tactical nightmare. The other concern was that the terrorists had setup numerous explosive devices in the building. Recognizing that any assault on the building would result in serious casualties not only for the rescue forces but also for the folks taken hostage, they instead opposed to goat it from a different angle.
The Russians decided it woul be best to utilize gas and began pumping the theatre with an unknown substance. The terrorists responded by shooting blindly at the Russians.
The results? All 40 insurgents were killed and up to 130 hostages died during the siege. This number also included 9 foreigners. The cause of death for the hostages was determined to have been the toxic substance pumped into the theatre. The identity of this gas was never identified or disclosed however some believe it to be fentanyl derivative, such as carfentanil. After nearly an hour and a half of fighting, Russian special forces entered the auditorium where the hostages were being kept. They quickly found some of the hostages were passed out with vital signs missing and others were just listed as missing.
Even with all of this, several members believed the study should have been published as a guide for members outside of the drug unit. As well many police forces around the world, have instead adopted an approach where they try to imkake contact with the DEU. Thia has reduced the idea of hostage takers from bursing righ into the room or “house”.
Ben