Moscow, August 24: A deadly prison siege unfolded in Russia’s Volgograd region on August 23, when inmates affiliated with ISIS launched a deadly attack, taking staff hostage and killing four prison officers. The attackers, armed with knives and wearing suicide vests, seized control of the Correctional Colony No 19 in the Volgograd region during a disciplinary meeting. Despite their threats, the siege ended after the attackers were shot dead by snipers.

The hostage situation at Correctional Colony No. 19 in the Volgograd region began when inmates, claiming affiliation with ISIS, seized control of the prison. As reported by the Mirror, the crisis unfolded during a disciplinary meeting when several prisoners took hostages and demanded a helicopter, $2 million, and a safe exit route. Armed with knives and wearing suicide vests, the attackers, who described themselves as “Mujahideen of the Islamic State,” immediately initiated violence, causing chaos within the prison walls. US Reporter Evan Gershkovich Released by Russia After Spending Over 400 Days in Prison in Historic Prisoner Swap, Greeted by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Maryland (Watch Video).

The prisoners used the chaos to force one officer, Sergei Gordopolov, to make a desperate appeal to President Vladimir Putin. The situation quickly escalated as the attackers brutally assaulted their captives, resulting in the deaths of four prison officers. The attackers, armed with makeshift explosives and knives, inflicted severe injuries, including stab wounds and blunt force trauma. Special forces were dispatched to handle the crisis, but their attempts at negotiation failed, leading to a violent intervention to end the siege. Russian Court Sentences Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 Years in Prison on Espionage Charge.

By the end of the day, the Russian special forces successfully subdued the attackers, who were either killed or apprehended. As detailed by the Mirror, the intervention ended the immediate threat but left several others wounded. The incident has led to a criminal investigation into the attack, with Russian authorities focusing on the perpetrators' motives and the prison’s security lapses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2024 12:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).