Military

DATE=05/09/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-289609

TITLE=RUSSIA / EXPLOSION (L UPDATE)

BYLINE=REBECCA SANTANA

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES CR 2-289606, NEW DEATH TOLL IN INTRO, DROPS REFERENCE TO BUS, ADDS PUTIN ACTUALITY ///

/// WATCH C-N WIRE AND CHANGE CASUALTY FIGURES IN INTRO AS NEEDED ///

INTRO: An explosion in a small Russian town has killed at least 25 people and injured almost 100 during a celebration marking the end of World War Two. V-O-A's Rebecca Santana reports from Moscow.

TEXT: The blast occurred (Thursday) in the Dagestani town of Kaspiisk, along the Caspian Sea, north of Azerbaijan.

Russian news reports say a group of veterans, members of a

military band, and civilians were on their way to a celebration commemorating the end of the war when a mine - hidden in bushes -- exploded.

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack, and said there is no doubt it is the work of terrorists. He said Russian officials will find and punish those guilty of the explosion.

/// PUTIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///

Mr. Putin said the crime was carried out by people who hold nothing sacred. The Russian president added that there was no difference between the terrorists who committed this act and the Nazis.

Russian television showed pictures of the area where the mine exploded, with flowers and band equipment strewn across the ground.

The Russian republic of Dagestan, where the explosion occurred, borders the breakaway region of Chechnya where rebels are fighting Russian troops for independence.

The fighting in Chechnya often spills over into Dagestan. Dagestan has been the site of numerous small-scale bombings, although Thursday's explosion was one of the most deadly in years. Russian authorities have blamed previous explosions on Chechen rebels from the breakaway region.

The blast came as people across Russia were celebrating the 57th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe. An estimated 25-million Soviet citizens lost their lives during the war and it is one of the most important holidays in Russia.

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In Moscow, thousands of Russian troops and veterans gathered on Red Square to remember the end of the war and those who died.

President Putin addressed the crowd in Moscow and congratulated veterans on their victory. The Russian president added that that while the Nazis were defeated, there are new threats in the world such as terrorism.

(Signed)

NEB/RS/JWH