Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Explosives or Sugar? The Deadly Art of Distraction in Putin’s Russia - with Helena Merriman
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Mar 6, 2026 
Helena Merriman, BBC presenter and investigative podcaster, explores the 1999 Russian apartment bombings and the Ryazan mystery. She traces media investigations, the FSB’s shifting story, and how panic and narrative control propelled Putin’s rise. Short, tense accounts examine suspicious deaths, silenced outlets, and the use of distraction as a political tool.
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Ryazan Resident Thwarts Apparent Bombing
- Alexei in Ryazan spotted a suspicious car, leading to evacuation when police found sacks with a ticking timer and white powder thought to be Hexogen.
- The FSB later called it a training exercise and said the powder was sugar, creating immediate local disbelief and confusion.
Bombings Catalyzed Putin's Rapid Rise
- Vladimir Putin's swift military response to the Ryazan incident and bombings propelled his popularity from ~2% to over 40% within months.
- Putin's image shifted from an obscure ex-FSB official to a vengeful wartime leader after ordering strikes on Grozny.
Live TV Confrontation Exposes Public Distrust
- NTV invited FSB officers live with Ryazan residents three days before the presidential election for a confrontational show.
- The FSB appeared shell-shocked as residents openly accused them and demanded proof, undermining official claims.