The Invalidity of the 1999 Russia Bombings Conspiracy Theory

Abstract This article, partly on the basis of previously-unconsidered primary sources and contemporary reporting, reexamines the conspiracy theory that developed regarding the 1999 Russian apartment bombings. It concludes, first, that the Russian government had net-negative incentive to carry out the conspiracy of which it is accused. Second, had the alleged conspiracy nevertheless been undertaken, it would have very likely unraveled; its failure to do so indicates that it probably was not undertaken in the first place. And third, the overwhelming bulk of the evidence indicates that there was not a real bomb at Ryazan.