This Day in History: 2002-10-26
– On this day in 2002, 🕊️ Russian Spetsnaz special forces stormed the Moscow Theatre, ending a harrowing hostage crisis that had gripped the city for three days. The crisis began when Chechen terrorists 🏴☠️🔫 had seized the theatre, taking both the audience and performers hostage.
The dramatic and high-stakes rescue operation resulted in a tragic loss of life. While the Spetsnaz successfully neutralized the terrorists, approximately 150 hostages 🙍♂️🙍♀️ lost their lives during the assault, mainly due to the effects of a narcotic gas ☠️ used by the Russian forces.