Russian snipers kill hostage-takers and surround prison

"Snipers of the Russian National Guard's special forces in the Volgograd region, with four accurate shots, neutralized four prisoners who had taken prison staff hostage. The hostages were released," the National Guard said, according to the state news agency RIA.

Russia's federal prison service said all four attackers had been "eliminated". It said four prison staff had died from stab wounds, and others were being treated in hospital. It said a total of eight prison staff and four prisoners had been taken hostage.

Russian security forces and military near the IK-19 detention camp, in the town of Surovikino in the Volgograd Region, Russia on August 23, 2024. Photo: Reuters

In a video released by the attackers, the victims are seen lying in pools of blood after being brutally murdered. One of the prisoners shouts that they are IS “mujahideen”. Other videos show the attackers walking around the prison yard, where one of the hostages is seen slumped over with blood on his face.

The hostage rescue operation took place after President Vladimir Putin spoke at a Security Council meeting, where the Interior Minister, FSB Security Director and National Guard chief reported on the incident.

Russia has seen a surge in attacks by Islamist militant groups recently. In June, a bloody prison riot linked to IS took place in the southern Rostov region, in which special forces killed six hostage-takers.

Later that month, at least 20 people were killed in gun attacks on a church, a synagogue and a police checkpoint in Russia's Dagestan Republic, a predominantly Muslim region.

In March, the terrorist organization IS claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus City concert hall near Moscow, when attackers opened fire on the audience with automatic weapons and set fire to the building, killing more than 140 people.

In the latest incident, it is unclear how the attackers obtained knives to attack prison staff, as well as mobile phones to film themselves and post multiple videos online. One of them appeared to have a homemade explosive vest, and others carried knives and hammers.

Russian media reported that the four attackers were citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, three of whom were detained on drug-related charges and the other for murder during a brawl.

Bui Huy (according to RIA, TASS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nhung-ke-bat-coc-sat-hai-con-tin-va-bao-vay-nha-tu-nga-da-bi-tieu-diet-post309071.html