The city of Budyonnovsk in the Stavropol region in southern Russia is commemorating the victims of one of Russia’s worst terrorist attacks. In June 1995 Chechen militants seized a local hospital, beginning a week-long si

Hundreds of people flocked to the streets of Budyonnovsk to remember the 1995 terrorist siege.

During a six-day raid on the city, an armed group led by Chechen terrorist Shamil Basayev, seized government buildings, including a police station and the city hall. At a city hospital, the terrorists held more than 1,800 hostages, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya.  The siege claimed the lives of 147 people and injured hundreds more.

Following negotiations with the government, the terrorists were allowed safely back into Chechnya.

Many of them were later killed in special operations, while 19 were jailed.