Russian President Vladimir Putin is breaking his silence on the two suicide attacks in the southern city of Volgograd, vowing to fight the “terrorists until their complete annihilation.”  He said this as the first victims of the attacks were being buried.

The first funeral on New Year's Eve was held for 29-year old policeman Dmitry Makovkin, who was killed at the metal detector security checkpoint in Volgograd Station, where the first suicide bomber set off a device.  His commander says Makovkin likely saved lives by stopping the bomber from getting further inside the station.  More funerals will take place throughout the Russian holiday period.

In a New Year’s address from the eastern city of Khabarovsk, Putin said, “We bow our heads in front of the victims of the terrible acts of terror.  We will fiercely and consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their complete annihilation.”

The death toll from the railway station attack on Sunday rose to 18 lives lost.  CCTV footage of the explosion seen from inside the building hit the Internet.  16 people died on Monday when another suicide bomber set off a device on a bus.  The attacks raise concerns about the safety of athletes and others attending the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia’s Black Sea resort Sochi, but Olympic officials express confidence in security preparations.