Moscow
Siege victims' funerals
An overwhelming 85% of Russians back President Vladimir Putin's handling of the Moscow theatre siege in which 117 hostages died, according to an opinion poll released today.
The survey polled 1,600 Russians between Friday, on the eve of a rescue operation by security forces, and Monday, when the death toll from a secret knock-out gas used ahead of the operation stood at 115.
The results of the poll put the percentage of people sharply critical of Mr Putin's handling of the crisis at 10%.
Meanwhile, the funerals have been taking place of some of the 117 people who died in the theatre siege.
The US embassy in Moscow said it had identified the gas, but the Russian government has not confirmed this.
