This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8392465.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Putin takes aim at train bombers Putin takes aim at train bombers
(about 1 hour later)
Russian PM Vladimir Putin has called for tough measures against those behind the bombing of a Moscow-St Petersburg train in which 26 people died.Russian PM Vladimir Putin has called for tough measures against those behind the bombing of a Moscow-St Petersburg train in which 26 people died.
He said the attack showed the threat to Russia from terrorism remained high.He said the attack showed the threat to Russia from terrorism remained high.
He was speaking during a TV phone-in, in which he will answer some of half-a-million questions submitted by viewers.He was speaking during a TV phone-in, in which he will answer some of half-a-million questions submitted by viewers.
A North Caucasus Islamist group has claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on the Nevsky Express, some 400km (250 miles) north-west of Moscow.A North Caucasus Islamist group has claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on the Nevsky Express, some 400km (250 miles) north-west of Moscow.
"It is necessary to act in a very tough way against criminals who carry out these kinds of terrorist attacks," said Mr Putin."It is necessary to act in a very tough way against criminals who carry out these kinds of terrorist attacks," said Mr Putin.
"We have done a lot to break the spine of terrorism, but the threat has not been fully liquidated... The threat of terrorism remains very high.""We have done a lot to break the spine of terrorism, but the threat has not been fully liquidated... The threat of terrorism remains very high."
He urged viewers to remain vigilant and alert to the possibility of future attacks.He urged viewers to remain vigilant and alert to the possibility of future attacks.
A website claim on Kavkazcenter.com said the train attack was carried out by the "Caucasian Mujahadeen" on the orders of its leader, Doku Umarov.A website claim on Kavkazcenter.com said the train attack was carried out by the "Caucasian Mujahadeen" on the orders of its leader, Doku Umarov.
The Chechen is described as one of Russia's most wanted rebels, but it was not possible to verify the claim's authenticity.The Chechen is described as one of Russia's most wanted rebels, but it was not possible to verify the claim's authenticity.
Economic reassuranceEconomic reassurance
Mr Putin's annual phone-in appearance, which is being aired live on state television, recalls similar Q&A sessions during his eight-year presidency. It is a largely stage-managed event, the BBC's Tom Esslemont reports from Moscow.Mr Putin's annual phone-in appearance, which is being aired live on state television, recalls similar Q&A sessions during his eight-year presidency. It is a largely stage-managed event, the BBC's Tom Esslemont reports from Moscow.
Putin urged viewers to remain alert to the possibility of future attacks ANALYSIS By Rupert Wingfield Hayes, BBC News, Moscow Many people were expecting Vladimir Putin to give an indication of who his government thinks was behind last Friday's train attack. Instead they got platitudes.
Was he sorry for the victims and their families? He didn't say. Does his government believe the claims of Chechen separatists that they carried out the attack? We weren't told.
Mr Putin's rambling three hour broadcasts are an annual event here. When they started eight years ago they were a novelty.
Their seeming spontaneity and Mr Putin's command of facts and figures made them a huge hit. But eight years on the whole performance is starting to look like very tired propaganda.
His successor as president, Dmitry Medvedev, has not made any such appearances.His successor as president, Dmitry Medvedev, has not made any such appearances.
Taking questions from around the country, Mr Putin said it was not only security that was at the forefront of people's minds.Taking questions from around the country, Mr Putin said it was not only security that was at the forefront of people's minds.
One woman appearing by live video-link asked how she should survive the recession. Mr Putin tried to reassure her by saying the worst of the economic crisis was over.One woman appearing by live video-link asked how she should survive the recession. Mr Putin tried to reassure her by saying the worst of the economic crisis was over.
"A Conversation with Vladimir Putin: The Sequel" was being broadcast from a conference centre next to the Kremlin and was expected to last for a number of hours."A Conversation with Vladimir Putin: The Sequel" was being broadcast from a conference centre next to the Kremlin and was expected to last for a number of hours.
The eighth session of its kind, the interview has become something of an annual event, and organisers said they had received more than 700,000 questions by phone, text message and through the Internet.The eighth session of its kind, the interview has become something of an annual event, and organisers said they had received more than 700,000 questions by phone, text message and through the Internet.
Mr Putin was also expected to respond to questions from Togliatti, where the struggling Lada carmaker is based.Mr Putin was also expected to respond to questions from Togliatti, where the struggling Lada carmaker is based.