Public opinion: Most Russians blame corrupt special forces for failing to prevent rising terrorism, but few hold President Vladimir Putin directly responsible, according to a survey published yesterday.
A majority think the special forces could have done a better job, the survey found.
"\ it is interesting that special forces are viewed separately to authorities - only 12 per cent believe that the authorities are not doing enough to fight terrorism," said the St Petersburg-based Independent Analytical Centre.
Respondents criticised the security and police services, with 54 per cent saying they were corrupt and 23 per cent saying they did not know how to do their job properly - factors which allowed attacks to continue despite tighter security. Bribery and corruption are rife in Russia's police and army as officials seek to supplement their meagre pay.
When interviewees were asked who was to blame for the rising spate of terrorism in Russia, only 6 per cent blamed Mr Putin and his hardline Chechnya policy.