The militants from Doku Umarov’s gang were taken out at the end of last year, according to the statement by Director of the Russian FSB Alexander Bortnikov reported by RIA Novosti.
“This mission, I told you about, was accomplished at the end of last year,” said Bortnikov. “In due time we will inform the public on what was done and how it was done.”
Initially the information about neutralizing Umarov appeared in the media through “other sources.” In particular, in December it was announced by the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. But the security services would not confirm the information for a long time, pursuing, as stressed by Bortnikov “certain operational and political goals.”
Since 2007 Doku Umarov has been considered the leader of a so-called Caucasus Emirate. He was wanted on charges of murder, acts of terrorism, kidnappings and other serious crimes. It was Umarov who claimed responsibility for the bombing in 2009 of the Nevsky Express, when 28 people were killed, and the double terrorist attack in the Moscow metro in March, that killed 40 people. Investigators believe, he also organized the terrorist attack at Domodedovo airport.
In June 2010, the United States put Doku Umarov on the list of international terrorists. A year later, the UN Security Council also included him in its list of terrorists associated with Al‑Qaeda. Doku Umarov was arrested in absentia and put on the international wanted list as the mastermind behind the explosion at Domodedovo.