‘Black widow’ reveals hope to kill Russians

A CHECHEN woman has spoken of her mission to become one of the rebel movement’s ‘black widows’ - whose husbands have been killed in the war with Russia and who have decided to become suicide bombers.

Kowa said she intended to kill herself in an attack in Moscow in the near future.

Of seven suicide attacks by Chechen separatists on Russia in the past four months, six were carried out by women. The attacks have killed 165 people.

"I have only one dream, only one mission - to blow myself up somewhere in Russia, ideally in Moscow," Kowa said.

"To take as many Russian lives as possible this is the only way to stop the Russians from killing my people. Maybe this way they will get the message and leave us alone, once and for all," she said.

The two wars in Chechnya have left 100,000 people dead, and although full-scale fighting has abated, low-level guerrilla combat is ongoing. It was this that claimed the life of Kowa's husband.

"I met my husband when we were teenagers. We studied together, fell in love, and married two years ago. We had a baby together," she said.

"One month ago he was killed by the Russians. He was 24 years old. He was a rebel fighter and I supported his struggle against Russia."

Kowa described what happened after her husband was killed. "His friends hunted down one of the men responsible and brought him to me so that I could kill him in revenge," she said.

"But I didn't do it. I have other plans." Kowa, who now lives in hiding in Chechnya, said she was even prepared to kill herself despite having a young child.

Most Chechen women have lost relatives in the conflict with Russia.

"I have a daughter who is 18 months old, but it's not worth living for my child, now my husband is dead," she said.

"My mother-in-law tried to hold me hostage in her house she was scared something would happen to me. But my commander came and took me away," she said.

"In my case as with most cases with female suicide bombers the motive is revenge. I am just waiting for the order from my commander."

Moscow-based British journalist Mark Franchetti, who tracked Kowa down, described her as an emotionless brick wall.

"The most chilling thing about meeting her was the complete lack of emotion with which she spoke about what she was about to do," Mr Franchetti said. "

"She spoke in a programmed way, almost as if she was dehumanised," he said. Russian authorities have claimed the 'black widows' are brainwashed into carrying out their attacks, or otherwise "raped into submission".