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Federal authorities have reported that four prison employees lost their lives during a violent revolt staged by inmates at the IK-19 Surovikino penal colony in Russia’s Volgograd region. The revolt, which began during a disciplinary commission meeting, involved knife-wielding prisoners who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).
The incident escalated as the prisoners took hostages, prompting special forces to storm the high-security facility. According to the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), the attackers managed to occupy a single room within the colony, where they inflicted fatal stab wounds on three employees. Despite efforts to save them, another employee succumbed to injuries at the hospital.
Rosgvardia National Guard officials stated that snipers were deployed during the rescue operation, successfully neutralizing four attackers. Eight prison employees and four convicts had been taken hostage during the siege, with unverified social media footage showing one inmate standing over a bloodied prison guard.
FSIN officials dismissed reports that the inmates had seized control of the entire prison, clarifying that only a portion of the facility was affected. Russian media identified the attackers as Ramzidin Toshev, 28, Rustamchon Navruzi, 23, Nazirchon Toshov, 28, and Temur Khusinov, 29, all natives of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
The attackers released mobile phone footage in which they identified themselves as IS militants, claiming the revolt was an act of revenge for the persecution of Muslims. The videos, widely circulated online, depicted scenes of violence within the prison, including bloodied officials lying on the ground and inmates roaming the courtyard.
Volgograd Governor Andrei Bocharov assured that the situation posed no threat to the civilian population. President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the incident during a virtual meeting with security officials.
This is the second IS-linked incident in the region this summer, following a similar hostage situation in the neighboring Rostov region. Prosecutors have since opened a case related to the recent hostage-taking.