Russian Security Forces Rescue Hostages from Militant Prisoners

Russian security forces stormed a prison to free hostages taken by prisoners claiming to be Islamic State militants. At least one hostage-taker was killed, and all hostages were reportedly rescued. The attackers, citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, were armed with improvised explosive devices, knives, and hammers.

Russian security forces stormed a prison on Friday to free hostages seized by knife-wielding prisoners who identified themselves as Islamic State militants, according to news outlets with ties to the law enforcement services.

Reports said at least one of four hostage-takers had been killed. The Baza news channel reported that all the hostages had been rescued, without giving a specific number. Earlier, at least one prison official was killed and two others were shown bloodied and motionless in a video filmed by the attackers.

In the video, one of the men shouted that they were mujahideen of Islamic State and had seized control of the prison in the Volgograd region. Subsequent videos showed four attackers pacing about in a prison yard, where a bloodied prison staffer was held hostage.

One of the prisoners involved in the incident appeared to have an improvised explosive vest while the others were carrying knives and hammers. One of the men delivered a rambling monologue claiming that Russia 'oppresses Muslims everywhere'.

Russian news media identified the four suspects as citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Three were jailed for drug offenses and the other for unpremeditated murder.