43:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 47:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"SignupCTA"] 49:I[56939,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"EpisodeTranscript"] 3b:["$","path",null,{"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","strokeWidth":2,"d":"M8 7V3m8 4V3m-9 8h10M5 21h14a2 2 0 002-2V7a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v12a2 2 0 002 2z"}] 3c:["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-01-12T06:20:00.000Z","children":"Mon Jan 12 2026"}] 3d:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-base text-foreground/80 leading-relaxed","children":"What if the truth behind the bombs could be revealed, on a television show?"}] 44:T54b,

What if the truth behind the bombs could be revealed - on a television show?

Following the events at Ryazan, journalists at Russia’s major television channel NTV prepare for a primetime broadcast: a confrontation between the residents of the building where the sacks of powder were found and the FSB officials who insist it was nothing more than a training exercise. With the Russian presidential election just days away, the TV show becomes a gamble that could cost NTV far more than its ratings. In this episode, Helena speaks to Yevgeny Kiselyov, one of Russia’s most influential political journalists and the man who brought the show to the air.

In Season 1 of The History Bureau, presenter Helena Merriman returns to one of the most contested - and consequential - stories in modern Russia. In September 1999, just weeks after Vladimir Putin became Prime Minister, four bombs blew up four apartment buildings across Russia. The bombs exploded in the middle of the night, killing hundreds of people while they slept. In this season, Merriman returns to the story with the reporters who were there on the ground. What did they get right first time around? And, in the chaos and confusion of unfolding events, what did they miss?

Presenter: Helena Merriman Series Producer: Sarah Shebbeare Executive Editor: Annie Brown

45:T445,

NEW in The History Bureau - Putin and the Apartment Bombs

In September 1999, just weeks after a 46-year-old Vladimir Putin became Prime Minister, four bombs blew up four apartment buildings across Russia, killing hundreds of people while they slept. The attacks plunged the country into panic. Families fled their homes. Residents patrolled their blocks around the clock. An entire nation paralyzed by fear.

But who did it? It's a mystery that has fuelled some chilling theories.

The government blamed Chechen militants. Many reporters agreed. But then the whispers started. Was something even more sinister going on?

Over 25 years later, journalists who covered the bombings still can't agree on who planted the explosives or why.

Presenter Helena Merriman returns to the story with the reporters who were there on the ground. What d

Putin and the Apartment Bombs: 3. The TV Show