Putin orders 'destroy on the spot' terrorist suspects

President Vladimir Putin has vowed to eliminate armed criminals on the spot after confirming that the bombing at a supermarket in St. Petersburg was a terrorist attack.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin - Photo: Reuters

Speaking at a ceremony to honor soldiers participating in Russia's campaign in Syria, President Putin said Russian security agencies needed to "act decisively" and "destroy on the spot" if terrorist suspects resisted.

His spokesman later explained that Mr Putin's statement was aimed at anyone plotting to commit acts of terrorism in Russia.

"An act of terrorism took place in St. Petersburg yesterday," AFP quoted the Russian president as condemning the explosion at a supermarket in Russia's second largest city that injured 14 people.

The explosion occurred at the Perekrestok store in Kalinin district, when a device containing about 200 grams of explosives detonated in the area where customers’ bags were kept. Footage from the supermarket’s security camera showed a suspicious man wearing a jacket and carrying a large backpack entering the store.

Mr Putin also warned that the security situation in Russia would worsen if thousands of Russian citizens who fought for the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist group returned home.

Mr Putin’s 2015 decision to intervene militarily in Syria made Russia a target for terrorists. Last month, the Federal Security Service said it had thwarted a terrorist attack also in St. Petersburg.

According to tuoitre.vn