Igor Zakharov, a survivor of the 2002 “Nord-Ost” hostage crisis at the Dubrovka Theater Center, has been awarded compensation for moral damages 22 years after the tragic event. The Tverskoy Court in Moscow partially granted Zakharov’s claim against the city’s Department of Finance.

The court documents indicate that Zakharov will receive an unspecified sum from the Moscow treasury as compensation. The remainder of his claim was dismissed.

Zakharov had previously been recognized as a victim of the terrorist attack and had received prior compensation. Following the attack, he suffered severe health complications, including a coma and several days in intensive care due to hypoxia.

Court records detail that Zakharov initially filed a lawsuit for moral damages in 2002. However, the case was dismissed due to his non-appearance in court. He refiled his claim in September 2024, leading to six hearings.

The terrorist attack at the Dubrovka Theater Center took place on October 23, 2002, when a group of militants stormed the building during a performance of the musical “Nord-Ost,” taking over 900 people hostage.

The crisis ended with a special forces operation that resulted in the elimination of all the terrorists, but tragically, 130 hostages also lost their lives.