Russian snipers kill Islamist hostage-takers to end prison siege

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia August 23, 2024. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS

(Reuters) -Russia's security services shot dead four inmates on Friday who had taken hostages at a penal colony, fatally stabbed four of its staff and posted online videos describing themselves as Islamic State militants, officials said.

"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," state news agency RIA quoted the National Guard as saying.