A prison in southern Russia’s Volgograd region was seized by inmates who took hostages, leading to the deaths of at least three prison guards. The attackers were later “neutralized” by special forces. The incident comes after Islamic State-linked prisoners recently took guards hostage at another facility and ethnic tensions have been heightened following a deadly ISIS-claimed attack in Moscow. The prison involved in the uprising, IK-19 Surovikino penal colony, can hold over 1,200 prisoners.
The Federal Penitentiary Service confirmed that four attackers took eight prison staff members and four inmates hostage during a meeting of the prison’s disciplinary commission. Several guards and inmates were injured in the attack. Footage circulating on social media showed inmates standing above bloodied prison guards, and a video depicted a guard covered in blood seemingly forced to ask President Vladimir Putin for help. The identities of the attackers were not disclosed, but reports suggested they may be citizens of Central Asian countries.
Russian President Putin was informed about the hostage situation as at least four prison staff were hospitalized following the attack. An operational headquarters was established to coordinate efforts to release the hostages. TASS news agency reported that the siege had ended after security forces regained control of the prison. Three of the attackers were convicted of drug trafficking, while the fourth was convicted of manslaughter during a fight.
Unverified footage showed the hostage-takers shouting “Allahu Akbar” and holding knives and flags resembling those of ISIS. Reports indicated that the attackers were seeking revenge for the arrested terrorists involved in the Moscow concert hall attack in March, during which 145 people were killed. In June, ISIS-affiliated prisoners staged a similar siege in the southern Rostov region. The deadliest terror attack in Russia in two decades occurred at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall concert venue.
Inter-ethnic tensions have been escalating in Russia following the Moscow and Dagestan attacks earlier this year. The Central Asian branch of ISIS claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack, while the Dagestan attacks resulted in the deaths of 16 policemen and several others. ISIS has targeted Russia due to its support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The attacks have prompted criticism of the authorities for failing to prevent such incidents. ISIS has vowed to continue targeting Russia over its involvement in the Middle East conflicts.
