Inmate Revolt in Southern Russia Prison Leaves One Guard Dead

Inmate Revolt Erupts in Southern Russia Prison

In a shocking turn of events, inmates at a maximum-security prison in southern Russia initiated a revolt on Friday, resulting in the death of at least one guard and the taking of hostages. This incident marks yet another instance in a series of prison uprisings that have occurred in the country over recent months.

According to Russian state media, the uprising took place in Penal Colony No. 19, located in the Volgograd region, which has the capacity to accommodate around 1,200 male inmates. While state media and local officials have been tight-lipped about the specifics of the incident, they reported that at least four individuals sustained injuries during the chaos. In response, law enforcement officials have launched an operation aimed at securing the release of the hostages.

During a routine meeting of Russia’s National Security Council on Friday, President Vladimir Putin addressed the violent situation, revealing that he had been promptly briefed on the incident by the head of the nation’s prison service. His swift remarks, made less than two hours after the revolt was first reported, suggest the gravity with which the authorities are treating this uprising.

This latest incident recalls a previous crisis in June, when armed inmates, claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, took several guards hostage at a pretrial detention facility in Rostov, another area in southern Russia. In a coordinated response, security forces stormed the facility just hours later, neutralizing the attackers and rescuing the hostages.

At this time, Russian state media and officials have not provided further details regarding the individuals involved in the Volgograd mutiny or their underlying motivations. As the situation develops, many are left to wonder about the implications of these violent outbreaks within the Russian prison system.

Oleg Matsnev contributed reporting.