Russian school carnage - Putin must find way to end conflict

EVERY parent, especially anyone with a child at school, will identify intensely with the grief of Russian families as the death toll mounts after the violent and bloody ending of the school hostage crisis.

As the carnage soared to more than 150 dead last night, the horrific scale of this tragedy and the absolute futility of terrorism were impressed forcefully upon the Russian people and the whole world.

Sadly, with more than 400 wounded in hospital, including 220 children, many with limbs torn off by grenades, the toll will continue to rise.