Former FSB director Patrushev said rescue workers, not Russia’s security services, were responsible for the 2002 Moscow theater hostage deaths. (Sergei Shoigu led those rescue services.) Nikolai Patrushev, a presidential aide and former FSB director, asserts that rescue workers, not his security units, were responsible for the deaths of hostages during the 2002 Dubrovka terrorist attack. He stated that the rescue services panicked, failed to administer the correct antidote, and administered double doses, leading to casualties. The European Court of Human Rights previously found Russian authorities responsible for violating the hostages’ right to life due to inadequate medical warnings and care.

• Nikolai Patrushev blames rescue workers for hostage deaths in the 2002 Dubrovka attack.
• Patrushev claims FSB units performed professionally, but other services lacked coordination and panicked.
• He stated that the antidote was not administered correctly, leading to casualties.
• The European Court of Human Rights previously ruled Russian authorities responsible for violating hostages’ right to life.
• The court ordered Russia to pay compensation and conduct a new investigation, which did not occur.
• Sergei Shoigu, who headed the Emergencies Ministry at the time, has since lost influence and faced scrutiny.
• Meduza used an AI model for translation, with oversight from a human editor.