Inmates Seize Hostages Inside a Russian Detention Center
In the Russian city of Volgograd, situated in the Volgograd region, some inmates at penal colony IK-19 have taken control, capturing several guard personnel during a meeting. At least one warden has reportedly been murdered. This information comes from the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), shared through their Telegram channel. The FSIN mentioned they're implementing rescue operations to liberate the hostages, yet details about the dissidents and their conditions remain unshared.
Online Russian networks accumulated videos allegedly showing the incarcerated individuals forcibly keeping guard personnel in custody, with some suffering injuries portrayed as bloodstains on their uniforms. Two individuals stand beside the hostages, recorded by another person speaking Arabic. This person also proclaimed loyalty to the Islamic State (IS), a recognized militant group.
Penal colony IK-19, with a notorious tough regime, is situated in the town of Surowikino, roughly 850 kilometers away from Moscow and around 120 kilometers west of Volgograd.
This event marks the second occurrence of such a hostage situation in Russian prisons since June. During that time, inmates linked to the IS militant group seized two wardens at a prison located in the Rostov region's southern part. Russian special forces managed to end the siege and released the captured guards, eliminating the dissidents in the process.
The hostage-taking at Penal colony IK-19 in Volgograd has sparked concerns, as the captors have shown allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). The Russian Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) is actively working on a rescue operation to free the hostages and bring the situation under control.
