The History Bureau
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Podcast Overview
<p>NEW in The History Bureau - Putin and the Apartment Bombs</p><p>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.</p><p>But who did it? It's a mystery that has fuelled some chilling theories. </p><p>The government blamed Chechen militants. Many reporters agreed. But then the whispers started. Was something even more sinister going on? </p><p>Over 25 years later, journalists who covered the bombings still can't agree on who planted the explosives or why.</p><p>Presenter Helena 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?</p><p>The History Bureau revisits the defining stories of our times with the reporters who first covered them.</p>
Language
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Publishing Since
1/7/2026
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Recent Episodes
March 23, 2026
What to listen to next: Cautionary Tales
Helena Merriman interviews Tim Harford about the 1999 apartment bombs and evolving perspectives on the historical event.
January 16, 2026
Putin and the Apartment Bombs: 7. Hindsight
<p>Who bombed the four apartment buildings? </p><p>The reporters who covered this story look back with over 25 years of distance to answer a one question: who do they think bombed those four apartment buildings back in September 1999? Was it the Chechen militants the government blamed? Or was it an FSB plot - to create a climate of fear so that one of their own - Vladimir Putin - could step in as the hard man the country needed - and become President? Or is that nothing more than a wild conspiracy theory?</p><p>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? </p><p>Presenter: Helena Merriman Series Producer: Sarah Shebbeare Executive Editor: Annie Brown</p>
January 15, 2026
Putin and the Apartment Bombs: 6. The Trial
<p>A trial of two suspected bombers seems to offer closure – but is this really case closed? </p><p>As Mikhael Trepashkin prepares to present evidence that might shed light on what really happened in 1999, he's thrown into prison. And as the verdict looms for two suspected bombers, so does an unsettling truth about how the Kremlin uses moments of crisis to tighten its grip. In this episode, Helena speaks to Steven Lee Myers, the former New York Times Moscow Bureau Chief who watched Putin consolidate his power in the years after the bombings. </p><p>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? </p><p>Presenter: Helena Merriman Series Producer: Sarah Shebbeare Executive Editor: Annie Brown</p>
9 total episodes available with 9 transcripts
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Helena Merriman
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- What is The History Bureau?
<p>NEW in The History Bureau - Putin and the Apartment Bombs</p><p>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.</p><p>But who did it? It's a mystery that has fuelled some chilling theories. </p><p>The government blamed Chechen militants. Many reporters agreed. But then the whispers started. Was something even more sinister going on? </p><p>Over 25 years later, journalists who covered the bombings still can't agree on who planted the explosives or why.</p><p>Presenter Helena 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?</p><p>The History Bureau revisits the defining stories of our times with the reporters who first covered them.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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