Sochi Olympics: Militants Issue Attack Threat

Islamist militants publish a video claiming they were behind two suicide bombings and warning of "revenge" at the Sochi Games.

Video: Militants warn they will attack the Winter Olympics if the Games go ahead

Islamist militants have issued a terror threat to organisers of next month's Winter Olympics, warning: "If you hold the (Games) you will receive a present from us."

A video posted online claims two men - named as Suleiman and Abdurakhman - carried out deadly suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd in December.

 It also threatened further attacks to coincide with the Games, which start in Sochi on February 7.

Police are patrolling major transport hubs, including Sochi airport

"It will be for all the Muslim blood that is shed every day around the world - be it in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, all around the world," a man says in Russian on the video.
"This will be our revenge."

The attacks at Volgograd railway station and on a city tram last month killed 34 people and injured more than 100.

Security has been ramped up at train stations ahead of the Winter Olympics

The video claims the blasts were the work of militant group Vilayat Dagestan and linked to an Iraqi faction called Ansar al Sunna.

Last year, Chechen rebel Doku Umarov, the leader of the Islamist insurgency in Russia's disputed North Caucasus region, which is close to Sochi, threatened to stage attacks to stop the Games from taking place.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin insists the event will be "safe and secure".

Vladimir Putin insists athletes and visitors will be safe during the Games

An unprecedented security operation will see 40,000 police officers from across the country deployed alongside troops to protect Games venues and other potential targets.

Drones will be used to spot suspicious activity and the Federal Security Service (FSB) will monitor telephone calls and internet traffic.

Around 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 90 countries are expected to take part in the Games.