In a dramatic hostage situation at a maximum-security prison in Surovikino, Russia, four prison officers were killed after inmates, reportedly affiliated with ISIS, seized several staff members. The incident unfolded at a disciplinary commission meeting within the penal colony, where eight officers and four inmates were taken hostage.
Special Forces Response
Russian special forces swiftly intervened, neutralizing the alleged hostage-takers. The National Guard of Russia, also known as Rosgvardia, reported that snipers from the Volgograd Region executed four precise shots to eliminate the attackers, leading to the release of some hostages. Graphic footage from the scene depicts the aftermath, showing several uniformed prison staff members in a pool of blood.
ISIS Connection and Motives
The attackers displayed an Islamic State flag at the facility, and there is speculation about their motives. The SITE terror monitoring group suggests the assault was retaliatory, linked to a previous ISIS attack on a concert venue near Moscow that resulted in over 130 deaths. However, official confirmation of the attackers’ motives has not been provided.
Previous Hostage Situation
This event follows a similar hostage crisis in June, when two employees at a pre-trial detention center in Rostov-on-Don were rescued after being held by detainees with ISIS connections. The detainees involved in that incident were also killed during the rescue operation.
Presidential Response
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the situation by the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges and the threat posed by extremist groups within Russia’s prison system.
