<p>Four inmates were shot dead by Russian security forces on Friday (Aug 23) after they took hostages at a penal colony, fatally stabbed four prison staff, and posted online videos claiming to be Islamic State militants, according to officials.</p>

<p>"Snipers of the special forces of the Russian National Guard in the Volgograd region, with four precise shots, neutralised four prisoners who had taken prison employees hostage. The hostages have been released," national guard state news agency RIA quoted them&nbsp;as saying.</p>

<p>The federal prison service confirmed that all four attackers had been killed. It also reported that four of its staff had succumbed to stab wounds, while others received treatment in hospital.</p>

<p>A total of eight prison employees and four inmates had been held hostage, the service added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-are-bhishm-cubes-gifted-by-pm-modi-to-ukraine-during-historic-kyiv-visit-752809">What are BHISHM cubes, gifted by PM Modi to Ukraine during historic Kyiv visit?</a></strong></p>

<p>In one of the videos posted by the attackers, the victims were shown lying in pools of blood, with one of them appearing to have had his throat slashed. A prisoner could be heard shouting that they were "mujahideen" of Islamic State.</p>

<p>Other videos depicted the attackers walking around in a prison yard, with one of their hostages slumped on the ground, his face covered in blood.</p>

<p>The operation to free the hostages was carried out after Russian&nbsp;President Vladimir Putin, during a weekly Security Council meeting, requested updates from the interior minister, the FSB security chief, and the head of the national guard regarding the situation.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-presses-zelensky-to-pursue-peace-talks-with-russia-promises-indias-support-for-peace-efforts-752756">PM Modi pushes Zelensky for peace talks with Russia during first Kyiv visit</a></strong></p>

<p>Russia has been dealing with a rise in Islamist militant attacks, while&nbsp;its defence and security forces remain heavily focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.</p>

<p>This incident has raised serious concerns about prison security, especially following a prison revolt in June. It remains unclear how the inmates managed to obtain knives to attack staff and mobile phones to record and upload multiple videos.</p>

<p>The attackers’ demands were not clear, but in their disjointed speeches, they reportedly claimed that Russia "oppresses Muslims everywhere" and justified their actions as a merciless response to the alleged mistreatment of Muslim prisoners.</p>

<p>Russian media reported that the four men were citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Three of them were serving sentences for drug-related offences, while the fourth was imprisoned for killing someone during a fight.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Four inmates were shot dead by Russian security forces on Friday (Aug 23) after they took hostages at a penal colony, fatally stabbed four prison staff, and posted online videos claiming to be Islamic State militants, according to officials.

Four inmates were shot dead by Russian security forces on Friday (Aug 23) after they took hostages at a penal colony, fatally stabbed four prison staff, and posted online videos claiming to be Islamic State militants, according to officials. "Snipers of the special forces of the Russian National Guard in the Volgograd region, with four precise shots, neutralised four prisoners who had taken prison employees hostage. The hostages have been released," national guard state news agency RIA quoted them as saying. The federal prison service confirmed that all four attackers had been killed. It also reported that four of its staff had succumbed to stab wounds, while others received treatment in hospital. A total of eight prison employees and four inmates had been held hostage, the service added. Also read: What are BHISHM cubes, gifted by PM Modi to Ukraine during historic Kyiv visit? In one of the videos posted by the attackers, the victims were shown lying in pools of blood, with one of them appearing to have had his throat slashed. A prisoner could be heard shouting that they were "mujahideen" of Islamic State. Other videos depicted the attackers walking around in a prison yard, with one of their hostages slumped on the ground, his face covered in blood. The operation to free the hostages was carried out after Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a weekly Security Council meeting, requested updates from the interior minister, the FSB security chief, and the head of the national guard regarding the situation. Also read: PM Modi pushes Zelensky for peace talks with Russia during first Kyiv visit Russia has been dealing with a rise in Islamist militant attacks, while its defence and security forces remain heavily focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This incident has raised serious concerns about prison security, especially following a prison revolt in June. It remains unclear how the inmates managed to obtain knives to attack staff and mobile phones to record and upload multiple videos. The attackers’ demands were not clear, but in their disjointed speeches, they reportedly claimed that Russia "oppresses Muslims everywhere" and justified their actions as a merciless response to the alleged mistreatment of Muslim prisoners. Russian media reported that the four men were citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Three of them were serving sentences for drug-related offences, while the fourth was imprisoned for killing someone during a fight. (With inputs from agencies)

Four Islamic State-linked inmates killed by Russian security in deadly prison standoff

<p>Former US marine veteran Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia, appeared in a rare video broadcasted by Russian state media. The video showed him in the prison where he is currently serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges.</p>

<p>The US government has dismissed the charges.</p>

<p>Russia Today television network aired the video on Monday and also shared it on X, formerly known as Twitter.</p>

<p>In the video, Whelan can be seen in black prison attire at a penal colony situated in Russia's Mordovia region, about 566 km east of Moscow.</p>

<p>Whelan was accused of espionage by Russia in 2018 and subsequently convicted in 2020.</p>

<p>The video footage showed the former US marine operating a sewing machine when an English-speaking reporter requests an interview. Politely, Whelan declined, stating, "Sir, you understand when I say that I can't do an interview, which means that I can't answer any questions."</p>

<p>In different segments of the video, Whelan could be seen engaging in conversations with fellow inmates within the prison yard and having a meal in the cafeteria.</p>

<p>Following the video's release, Whelan's brother, David Whelan, expressed his appreciation for the chance to see his brother's appearance after such a prolonged period.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paul Whelan is a US citizen serving time in a high security prison since 2020 who was convicted of spying on Moscow for Washington and yet the White House has shown little interest in fighting for his release<br />
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— RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1696301635058761918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to David Whelan, a prior interview request from the same network in May had led to retaliatory actions by prison staff due to his brother's non-participation.</p>

<p>Efforts to secure Paul Whelan's release have persisted, including recent communication between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Whelan.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeals extension of pretrial detention in Russia</strong></p>

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<p>Furthermore, American citizen and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has faced espionage charges and faces a potential&nbsp;sentence for up to 20 years in a Russian prison.</p>

<p>The Biden administration has asserted its commitment to secure the release of both Whelan and Gershkovich.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Former US marine veteran Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia, appeared in a rare video broadcasted by Russian state media. The video showed him in the prison where he is currently serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges.

Former US marine veteran Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia, appeared in a rare video broadcasted by Russian state media. The video showed him in the prison where he is currently serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges. The US government has dismissed the charges. Russia Today television network aired the video on Monday and also shared it on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the video, Whelan can be seen in black prison attire at a penal colony situated in Russia's Mordovia region, about 566 km east of Moscow. Whelan was accused of espionage by Russia in 2018 and subsequently convicted in 2020. The video footage showed the former US marine operating a sewing machine when an English-speaking reporter requests an interview. Politely, Whelan declined, stating, "Sir, you understand when I say that I can't do an interview, which means that I can't answer any questions." In different segments of the video, Whelan could be seen engaging in conversations with fellow inmates within the prison yard and having a meal in the cafeteria. Following the video's release, Whelan's brother, David Whelan, expressed his appreciation for the chance to see his brother's appearance after such a prolonged period. Paul Whelan is a US citizen serving time in a high security prison since 2020 who was convicted of spying on Moscow for Washington and yet the White House has shown little interest in fighting for his release Follow us on Rumble: https://t.co/Nuc9nUzlmx pic.twitter.com/5kjfUhTOhV — RT (@RT_com) August 28, 2023 × According to David Whelan, a prior interview request from the same network in May had led to retaliatory actions by prison staff due to his brother's non-participation. Efforts to secure Paul Whelan's release have persisted, including recent communication between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Whelan. Also watch | Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeals extension of pretrial detention in Russia × Furthermore, American citizen and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has faced espionage charges and faces a potential sentence for up to 20 years in a Russian prison. The Biden administration has asserted its commitment to secure the release of both Whelan and Gershkovich. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Watch: Rare footage of former US marine Paul Whelan inside Russian prison

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Four Islamic State-linked inmates killed by Russian security in deadly prison standoff

Watch: Rare footage of former US marine Paul Whelan inside Russian prison