It is unknown when the group was formed ; however it did not rise to prominence until 26 April 2017 , when it claimed responsibility for the 2017 Saint Petersburg Metro bombing . In its statement , it said that the attack was ordered by al-Qaeda 's general Emir , Ayman al-Zawahiri , and that the group acts on behalf of al-Qaeda in the Caucasus and the Russian Federation . The attack was in retaliation to Russian military intervention in Syria . The group also pledged to continue launching terrorists attack in Russia until the Russian government withdraws its forces from the Caucasus and Syria . Is speculated that the group is led by Sirozhiddin Mukhtarov , who is also known as Abu Salah al-Uzbeky . In Tajikistan he is known for his connections with Uyghur terrorist groups such as the Turkistan Islamic Party and other al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria such as Tahrir al-Sham
2017 Saint Petersburg Metro bombing
2017 Saint Petersburg Metro bombing
Imam Shamil Battalion