Russian National Guard Neutralizes Inmates Claiming Islamic State Allegiance

On Friday, Russian National Guard snipers killed four inmates who had taken prison guards hostage, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group. The hostages were freed, though their number remains unspecified. The incident occurred at a prison in Surovkino, 860 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Reports mentioned hospitalizations and possible deaths.

Russian National Guard snipers on Friday eliminated four inmates who had taken prison guards hostage and expressed allegiance to the Islamic State group, according to Russian media reports.

The National Guard Service confirmed the inmates were "neutralized" and stated all hostages had been freed, though the exact number of hostages was not immediately disclosed.

Details remain scarce regarding the violence at the prison in Surovkino, located 860 kilometers southeast of Moscow, and it is unclear how the inmates managed to take the hostages.

Before the inmates were shot, the state news agency Tass reported four victims were transported to a local hospital, with two in serious condition. Unconfirmed reports from Telegram messaging channels mentioned potential fatalities.

The Russian news site Meduza published a video purportedly from the scene, depicting men with knives and several individuals in guard uniforms lying in blood. The attackers professed support for the Islamic State group and suspects linked to a March terrorist attack in Moscow that killed 145 people.

Court records reviewed by Tass indicated the hostage-takers hailed from former Soviet Central Asian countries, similar to the Tajik suspects from the concert hall attack.

(With inputs from agencies.)