A woman suicide bomber is reported to have carried out the latest attack at a religious festival of several thousand Muslims near Gudermes, Chechnya's second city.

On Monday, a lorry blew up at a local government compound, killing 59 civilian staff, locals and the attackers themselves.

The Russian Government has recently insisted that the situation in Chechnya is "normalising" and President Putin says the attacks will not hamper peace efforts in Chechnya where rebels are waging a war for independence.

How do you think peace could be achieved in Chechnya? Are you affected by the bombings? Send us your experiences.

This debate is now closed. Comments bellow reflect the balance of views we have received:

If the Russians think they can end the conflict militarily, then they are not only kidding themselves but playing with the lives of the Chechen people.
Peter Olak, UK

The Chechen "freedom fighters" are nothing but terrorists. They have a whole web of terrorist ties and backing from other Islamic countries. Russia has every right to do what it needs to do to get rid of them. They should not negotiate with terrorists as that just enables more terrorism worldwide.
Dave, USA

When Ukraine can be independent, why not Chechnya ...just because they are economically poor and Russia can rule them by force.....Come On Putin Wake up!
Jon, US

For peace in Chechnya Russian troops must leave. UN or Nato should take care of the situation. When Soviet soldiers were dying in Afghanistan, we were told "they died while executing international duty" and we believed it. As the result of the long Soviet/Afghan war Soviet people had many dead and handicapped young men. Much worse damage was done to Afghan people.
The Russian people suffer from the war at present and will suffer more in the future. The Chechen people suffer much more. The only force that can stop this war is Russian people. They should stop listening to their leaders and stand up for the peace.
Zviad, USA/Republic of Georgia

The Chechnya conflict said is basically the conflict of religion and nationalism. Both the parties involved in this crisis should focus now on reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Chechnya if the Russians wish to overcome Islamic influence and the Chechens want a prosperous Chechnya.
Hari, Nepal

Russia isn't Serbia. We will not allow even to debate any third party to control the territory of the Russian Federation. The Chechens brought it upon themselves what is happening to them. They squandered and gambled away their hard won independence, and now they are paying the price.
Anton, Moscow, Russia

I don't see how Chechens can have an independent state landlocked by the Russian Federation, especially if their state is going to be hostile to Russia as events of 1999 demonstrated. Moreover, I am totally against giving independence to lawless people that set up bases there. When my security is at stake, Chechen independence is the least of my priorities.
Eugene, Moscow, Russia

There are very few conflicts in the world right now that are worst than that in Chechnya K, USA

I think there are very few conflicts in the world right now that are worst than that in Chechnya. I have paid close attention to both sides, and have even watched shocking video of the fighting. If you want a good understanding of what war crimes are, look no further than here. Both sides are guilty of terrible atrocities. I see Russia's side, as the U.S. government would never tolerate a state leaving the union, and I see the Chechen side, as they want to rule themselves. I think in the big picture Russia should just let Chechnya go. Russian soldiers are paid (well, supposed to be at least) to fight, Chechnyans are not. Who's more motivated to win?
K, USA

To the question of defining "Russian": the adjective "russki" does not apply to Chechnya, but "rossijski" in its Soviet-created meaning does. English does not distinguish between the two. Second, I would accept foreign peacekeepers in Chechnya. In fact, I'd love to see anyone but Russian (conscripted) boys in danger there.

But only if the organisations / governments sponsoring the force guarantee the security of neighbouring regions... in fact, of the rest of the Russian Federation. No need to repeat the ridiculous situation of 1996-99. It would be quite interesting to see how many Chechens move back; I'd bet the majority of them will still live in the rest of our evil Russia.
Andrej Kovalev, Russia

More than 90% of Chechens voted for peace on Russian terms? In a Moscow organized and supervised referendum?! Sure! And 100% of Iraqis voted for Saddam Hussein too.
Jose Olvieda, USA

Mr Putin is facing an extremely complicated problem which was intentionally created during the reign of the "so-called" democrats who managed to nearly destroy the country. I do hope he'll cope with it. To those who still call the terrorists "freedom fighters" struggling for their independence by killing innocent civilians. Really? Why are many of them from other countries financed from abroad? And since when has it become normal to videotape killings with terrible screaming, cut throats and dismembered men. Is it also about independence?
Peter Shipil, Russian Federation

Peter Shipil, Russia. Are Palestinians "freedom fighters" or "terrorists"? Moscow has supported them for decades so they must be the former ones? Besides, Moscow has conquered Chechnya only in 1870s, so obviously Russians for hundreds of years prior to that event had somehow managed to live without this arid, forlorn place, right?
Sara Wiedeman, USA

Chechens, for the most part, are longing for a peaceful life. A group of kids from Grozny that spent their winter vacation in Moscow said they had never seen such astounding beauty and so much tranquillity before. People in Chechnya forgot the very flavour of civilian life that now seems a miracle to them. It's evident, forces OUTSIDE Chechnya are involved and interested in the conflict, it's common knowledge few ethnic Chechens participate in the fighting. Many people professing themselves Chechens' brothers are trying to exploit the Chechen independence idea for their own gain and interest.
Grigori Likhachev, Russia

The problem with Chechnya is they are too quick to segregate themselves as a different group instead of integrating with the rest of society. In the US we have many races and religions, yet we don't see the state of Texas trying to become an independent country. Until compromise can be reached between factions, and people stop seeing themselves as Muslim, Russian, Serb, Bosnian or whatever the case is, these problems will exist.
Dain, USA

Of course peace can be achieved through a simple "political settlement" to use Mr. Putin's words - by granting independence. They say it is impossible to pull a badger out of its burrow by pulling on its legs. If you push the badger it backs out. The way to get Chechens to stop blowing things up in their desperation is to grant them independence. Too bad the Russians have killed many of the statesmanlike Chechens like Dudajev. Such people could have helped to create a stable Chechnya.
Juri Estam, Estonia

Only 3rd power, UN or better NATO can lead to peace in Chechnya Ilias, USA (Chechnya)

Only 3rd power, UN or better NATO peacekeepers can lead to peace in Chechnya. Russia proved that it is not able to control or guarantee the minimum safety for Chechen civilians even from violence of federal troops. The same time the extreme wing of Chechen resistance as such don't have support among the Chechen majority. Chechens want to get rid of Russian Army occupation and Chechen extremists. Today is clear that Russia is more afraid of Chechens thinking than Chechens shooting with AK.
Ilias, USA (Chechnya)

People are deluding themselves if they think Russia will withdraw from Chechnya the same way they did Afghanistan. Nor is the odd suicide bomber a "powerful force" to be reckoned with - if it were, then Timothy Mcveigh's clones would rule the US right now. Chechens are deluding themselves if they think the "West" will ride to their rescue. The sooner they accept their place in Russia, the sooner they can get back to normal lives, otherwise they will go the way of the American Indian.
Roy Tyrell, USA

There is definitely a lack of world's attention to this problem including the media. It is obviously that the conflict involves not two, but three parts for a while already. Russia, Local Chechen Authority, which is believed to be the representative of a Chechen majority on one side and relatively small group of "freedom fighters" on the other.
AJ, US

Come on people, solve your own problems before you try to enlighten us. How long has the conflict in Northern Ireland been going? Why don't the British just get out of there? To the US friends supporting the "freedom fighters" - you watch too much TV starring George W as a knight on a white horse smiting evil and defending freedom. If you follow your logic then the Basque separatists fighting for independence from Spain should be removed from the State Department's list of terror groups, right? Are you ready to classify Iraqis firing on US troops as "freedom fighters" as well?
Sergei, Russia

Peace should be achieved by an interim UN administration, like in Kosovo. Time to put an end to the ugly colonial rule and double standards, according to which Iraqis deserve freedom, while Chechens don't.
Mart Siimer, Estonia

The living dead will NEVER return to a peaceful life, no matter what concessions Russia make Max Khusid, USA/Russia

More than 90% of Chechnya's population clearly voted for peace just a few months ago. They made their choice to have a significant degree of autonomy but under the Russian jurisdiction. Now, a small fraction of the population are the living dead who will NEVER return to a peaceful life, no matter what concessions Russia makes. Well, they've made their choice as well. They'll achieve their goals to die as martyrs, but tragically, they will take many innocent lives with them. This is the crime against the humanity.
Max Khusid, USA/Russia

The time between now and 2010 should be used to rebuild the educational system that would reflect the cultural identity of Chechens and respect for all of the neighbours. I do not believe that many people in Russia can clearly define what it is to be Russian. Many things that are credited to be "Russian" in reality are collections of many different cultures. The region should allow international peace monitors/troops with a plan for autonomy or even independence by 2010.
Bulat Filin, USA

In my view President Putin will solve the ongoing conflict in Chechnya. He will give further limited autonomy. I don't think Chechnya will grow and develop with the Russian federation.
Mohammed Imaduddin Hasan, India

The majority of the victims are Chechen civilians visiting the local administration offices on their everyday business. The terrorists attempted to scare their fellow Chechens from getting any help from the local administration. Quite a tactic for a freedom fighter. But acts like this will eventually drive a wedge between the perpetrators and the local population.
Mikhail Bessonov, Russian in Germany

It breaks my heart to hear of this tragic attack. However, Russia has no right whatsoever to impose its will on the Chechen people. These people have suffered the tyranny of Romanov rulers as well as Stalin's 'reign of terror'. How could anyone forget how Stalin forcibly extradited the entire Chechen people to labour camps in Siberia? Now, it seems to me that Mr Putin is committed to upholding Russia's oppressive and cruel historic inclination.
Mohamed, Canada

What independence do they allegedly want? John, UK

Statistically, over half of the Chechen 'rebels' are not Chechens. They come mainly from Saudi and Pakistan. Besides that, Chechnya is a part of Russia since 1870s. The Chechens do not know what it is like to be a separate country because they have never been a separate from Russia country. What independence do they allegedly want?
John, UK

The Chechen conflict cannot end until all parties realise what they expect to gain in reunification of the republic and come to the table with reasonable expectations. No table, no peace.
Darrell, USA

Putin has been receiving a nod and a wink from the Western world for too long. The Chechen insurrection against Russia is as old as the Russian occupation of that benighted land. After Putin's disgraceful support of Saddam's Iraq, (due to favourable oil deals and unpaid weapons supplies) it's time to say "no more" to the ridiculous pretension that the Chechens "belong" (in the serf owning sense) to the Muscovite empire.
Jon, France

Chechnya has never been an integral part of Russian empire: neither geographically nor ethnically. Unfortunately, it seems that neither the disastrous campaign in Afghanistan nor Chechen War I have taught Kremlin occupants anything. The sooner the Russian army withdraws from Chechnya the fewer Russians and Chechens will die.
Mirek Kondracki, USA

Mirek Kondracki: There are many ethnic and religious groups in Russia except the Chechens. And just imagine what will happen if Russia "leaves them alone". These terrorists will start to do the same things they did in Moscow all over the world, ie blow up houses and organise suicide bomb attacks. Russia is not invading a foreign country but protecting its territory and its peoples (including the Chechens) from terrorists.
Elena Golysheva, Russia

If the international community spent one tenth of the time it spends vilifying Israel looking at ways to bring peace between Chechnya and Russia then the world would be a far better place for it. The same applies to the BBC; this is clearly a very bloody and brutal conflict, so why is Russia given a free hand?
James, UK

The whole world calls these men freedom fighters Muhammad Khalid Qureshi, Pakistan

Peace is definitely very far away if the Russian Government doesn't change its policy which is clearly violating human rights in Chechnya. The whole world calls these men freedom fighters but the Russian President still calls them terrorists. The only reason he supported the war in Afghanistan was that he wanted to associate these freedom fighters with the enemy of the US and thus win the support of the world over Chechnya.
Muhammad Khalid Qureshi, Karachi, Pakistan

I don't think peace is currently possible, because the international community has failed to actively condemn and pressure the Chechen rebels to stop committing terrorism against innocent civilians. In the meantime, the Chechen "freedom fighters," as Mr Qureshi (above) puts it, will continue to hijack theatres, aeroplanes and blow-up apartment and office buildings.
George, US

The Chechen guerrillas aren't "freedom fighters". Look at the three years of more or less independence they gained after the 1994-96 war. They ran the place like the Taleban, implementing extremist law. The best way for the Chechens to gain indolence (not necessarily sovereignty) is to drop the guns, get rid of the hardcore fundamentalists and co-operate with Moscow.
Chris, Canada

Nationalism and religion are an intoxicating blend Daniel Lowell, USA

Russia faces a two-fold problem. The first is religious extremism, the other is nationalism. Nationalism and religion are an intoxicating blend, whose believers are willing to do anything to achieve victory, and for which there is no end without victory. Russia can decrease the nationalist influence of the rebels by drastically improving the lives of the people of Chechnya and so alienating the rebels from their recruiting base. Though Russia has few resources to accomplish much in this direction.
Daniel Lowell, USA

Peace would certainly be more easily achievable if the international community started to pay some attention to the situation, as many Western governments used to prior to the World Trade Center attacks.
Tim, UK

The governments need to release some power back to the people. To achieve peace is to reach an agreement with the freedom fighters, which the governments see as a sign of weakness. Think about the lives that could be saved from suicide attacks. Overall the policies with the rebel fighters need to be met, so that they can have their independence.
Wais, United States

Freedom fighters don't deliberately kill civilians for a political end. Targeting unarmed people is the act of a sociopath and a coward.
Dustin Deeks, United States