"The group Riyadus-Salikhin has conducted a series of successful operations on the territory of Russia. The explosions on the Kashirskoye Highway and near the Rizhskaya metro station were organized by the Moscow regional division of Shakhids. The two air crashes were organized by the special operations department. The operation Nord-West in the town of Beslan was carried out by the second battalion of Shakhids, under the command of Colonel Orstkhoev," Basayev says in the statement, translated by Pravda.
What really happened at Beslan?
The statement came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow is seriously preparing to launch preventive strikes against terrorists.
Expressing regret over the deaths of more than 320 hostages, half of them children, in Beslan, Basayev blamed the result on the Kremlin and warned that there would be no let-up in the violent campaign for an independent Chechnya.
Denying any links with the Osama bin laden and his Al Qaeda, Basayev said "Nobody but us are involved in the air crashes and the blast near the metro station in Moscow," which were timed to coincide with the presidential election in Chechnya.
"I don't know bin Laden," the statement said. "I don't get money from him, but I wouldn't turn it down. We are not bound by any circumstances, or to anybody, and we will continue to fight as is convenient and advantageous
Russia braces for more attacks
"This year I have received only $10,000 and 5,500 euros from foreigners. I have been waging war solely at the expense of the Russian budget," he said.
"It cost $4,000 to down the two airliners, $7,000 was spent to organize the bomb attacks on the Kashirskoye Highway and near the metro station. The Nord-West operation in Beslan cost 8,000 euros. The weapons were captured, the vehicle was captured, the bombs were captured - we spent money on food and equipment. We were short of money to reach Moscow.
"Thirty-three mujahideens took part in the Nord-West operation in Belsan, including two women. We have trained four women actually, but I sent two of them to Moscow on August 24th to down the planes. There were 12 Chechen males, two Chechen females, nine Ingush men, three Russians, two Arabs, two Ossetians, one Tatar, one Kabardin and one Guran, ( a small region in Siberia) " Basayev said.
Earlier this month, Russian Chief of staff Yuri Baluyevsky announced that Moscow was prepared to launch preemptive strikes against terrorist bases in any part of the world.
An Itar Tass report from Moscow said that addressing a conference of mayors Friday, Putin denounced Western double standards in dealing with terrorists, stressing that "the indulgent and excusatory attitude toward killers is tantamount to abetting terrorism."
"It is absolutely unacceptable to yield to the idea that bargaining with terrorists will give us something. Every concession leads to expanding their demands and multiplying our losses," he said.
