One can't help but wonder how to handle something like this. I don't know that the Russians had any good options.

I don't know that there were any communications with the hostages which could be considered "secure", and not available to the captors, too.

What's puzzling is the idea that some of the captors may have gotten away. How would that happen, I wonder?

It looks as if the gas might have killed 25% or so of the hostages, and all but three of the captors. It seems clear the Russians just shot the rest.

Tough situation. The only thing which could be clear is that the captors couldn't get away. But maybe a few did?

Arf