Putin Visits Volgograd; Ice Hockey Vote of Confidence

(ATR) Vladimir Putin visited Volgograd Wednesday to meet with Russian security leaders and visit with victims of last weekend’s attacks.

Putin, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Governor of Volgograd Region Sergei Bozhenov, and other regional leaders discussed better measures to fight terrorism in Russia.

"Let us focus on what is being done here and all over the country to ensure the security of our fellow citizens, what additional measures the law enforcement agencies and special services are taking," Putin said at the beginning of the meeting.

Putin then offered that there will be a "complete annihilation" of terrorists in Russia before handing the meeting over to the various government officials to present their findings.

After meeting with officials, Putin traveled to one of the hospital where victims of the bombings were being treated to meet with them.

One patient told Putin that the citizens of Volgograd’s spirit was not broken from the attacks, and she was thankful for the President’s visit.

Over 60 people remain hospitalized from the blasts last Sunday and Monday in Volgograd. The attacks claimed the lives of 34 people.

Ice Hockey Offers Condolences

The International Ice Hockey Federation released a statement offering its condolences to the victims of the Volgograd bombings.

"The IIHF is wholly committed to fulfill its obligation for ice hockey to be part of Sochi 2014, as it has been every time since 1920," the federation said in its statement.

The IIHF also said that they believe Russian authorities will "be up to the task" of ensuring a safe, incident-free Olympics.

Written by Aaron Bauer