Latest reports about Russia's reaction to the Volgograd bombings are surprising The arrests envisaged in Peter Coates article are taking place on a large scale. The BBC at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25580380 January 2, 2014, reports.

"Russian security forces in the city of Volgograd have detained more than 700 people in a crackdown following two bomb blasts which killed 34. Officials have not yet linked any of those detained directly to the bombings in Volgograd on 29 and 30 December."

"Russian investigators believe that both suicide bombers were men [NOT WOMEN - so not Black Widows] who had arrived in Volgograd from the North Caucasus, a security source told Interfax news agency."

If Russian authorities are now saying their initial instant conclusion that the bombers were women was wrong are other conclusions questionable?

For example - Where the bombers non-Muslims totally unrelated to the North Caucasus?

You are right, Planagenet. They could have been other religious fundamentalists like the Amish.

Trying to read between the lines, if the Russians first thought the
bombers were women, but have since changed their minds does that imply
they were wearing burkas but when they got to examine the bits they
found that in fact they were men.

Hmmm

@LEGO

Nope

Hi Bazz

The burka idea might have something to it. Or perhaps in the train station there was a male suicide bomber along with a woman who was a known terrorist-"black widow"

see http://www.smh.com.au/world/russia-steps-up-security-after-second-volgograd-blast-kills-at-least-10-20131230-hv754.html "The Siberian Times named the bomber as so-called ''black widow'' Oksana Aslanova, 26. She was reported as having been married to two Islamic militant leaders killed by Russian forces in the North Caucasus."

Regards

Pete

Video released of the purported suicide bombers.

Males rather than "black widows" http://www.wgowam.com/common/more.php?m=58&ts=1390204219&article=A5D2FEE3812711E3B51EFEFDADE6840A&mode=2

Also on http://www.news.com.au/world/terror-video-threatens-tourists-at-sochi-winter-olympics-in-russia/story-fndir2ev-1226805736289