Islamic radicals kill guard, take hostages at Volgograd prison

Russian authorities have shot dead four prisoners, Islamic rebels who staged a prison riot in Volgograd, Russia.

A group of prisoners fatally shot four prison workers and posted images of the crimes on social media, suggesting they were ISIS militants.

“Russian special forces snipers killed prisoners who had taken prison workers hostage with four precise shots,” a police statement quoted by the Russian news agency RIA said.

The prison service reported the deaths of prisoners and prison staff from stab wounds.

In total, the Islamic rebels took eight workers and four prisoners hostage.

Video circulating on Russian social media showed the knife-wielding attackers and at least four uniformed guards lying or sitting in pools of blood.

Three prison officers were reportedly immobilised and another had his throat cut. Footage showed an inmate holding another man by the neck with a knife.

The prison said that prison staff were taken hostage during a disciplinary committee meeting. “Efforts are being made to free the hostages,” the prison service said.

The facility is described as a “harsh regime” and has a capacity of 1,241 inmates. Russian media have identified the Islamic radicals as being from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Russia, which is mobilizing significant defense and security efforts during the war with Ukraine, has seen an increase in attacks by Islamic radicals on its territory.

In June, a rebellion by members linked to ISIS broke out in southern Russia. Six hostage-takers were shot dead.

That same month, at least 20 people were killed in shootings in Dagestan. In March, a tragedy occurred in Moscow: more than 140 people died in a concert hall.