Russia logs record number of ‘terrorist attacks,’ largely due to inclusion of anti-war and military actions – Meduza

Sustainable Development Goals and Terrorism in Russia

Introduction

According to a recent report from the outlet Verstka, official Russian statistics have shown a significant increase in terrorist attacks within the country since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. This year, there has been a record number of cases, surpassing the previous peak in 2003 by seven percent. However, it is important to note that the increase in reported terrorism may be influenced by how Russian authorities define terrorism, as it includes various anti-war actions and operations carried out by the Ukrainian military.

Record Number of Terrorist Attacks

Russian security forces have registered 601 “terrorist attacks” in the first nine months of 2024, according to a report from the Interior Ministry. This figure exceeds the previous record set in 2003 by seven percent, which was the year the ministry began tracking this data. The number of terrorist attacks steadily declined over five years after 2003 and then stabilized for the next 13 years, with an annual range of eight to 50 cases.

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Influence of the Conflict with Ukraine

The trend of increasing terrorist attacks began to reverse in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Interior Ministry documented 127 acts of terrorism that year, which tripled to 410 in 2023. By the end of July 2024, the number of reported cases reached last year’s total of 403.

Broad Definition of Terrorism

The sharp rise in reported terrorism can be attributed to the broad definition of the term used by Russian authorities. Actions that could be perceived as anti-war protests, including arson attacks on military recruitment offices or unsuccessful attempts at such attacks, are categorized as terrorism. Additionally, actions by Ukrainian military personnel are frequently recorded as terrorism, further contributing to the increase in reported cases.

Conclusion

The increase in terrorist attacks in Russia highlights the need for continued efforts to address the underlying causes of conflict and promote peace. It is crucial to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. By promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, we can contribute to reducing the prevalence of terrorism and creating a safer world for all.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
• Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of registered “terrorist attacks” in Russia
• Comparison of the number of “terrorist attacks” in different years
• Classification of actions as terrorism based on the Russian authorities’ definition

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: meduza.io