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Special Forces detain suspected North Caucasus militants in St. Pete apartment block (VIDEO) Russian Special Forces kill 4 suspected North Caucasus militants in St. Pete apartment block (VIDEO)
(35 minutes later)
Russian FSB and National Guard forces have conducted a special operation against suspected North Caucasus militants in a residential building in St. Petersburg. Witnesses said they heard at least two explosions and shooting in the building. Russian FSB and National Guard forces have killed four suspected North Caucasus militants during a special operation in a residential building in St. Petersburg. Witnesses told local media they heard at least two explosions and shooting in the building.
Photos on social media show dozens of police cars and heavily-armed officers around the building. All four suspects were on a federal wanted list and were accused of being members of armed gangs in the North Caucasus region, Russia's Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told TASS.
An official from Federal Security Service told RIA Novosti the agency is conducting an operation to detain suspected North Caucasus militants. “During their detention, they resisted and attempted to kill officers by opening fire. Four suspects have been killed,” he said.
The operation is underway in an apartment block “to detain individuals who are on a federal wanted list and are accused of taking part in illegal armed gangs in the North Caucasus region,” the local FSB press service said, as cited by TASS. The operation started early Wednesday morning. Local residents shared photos and videos on social media, showing a number of police cars and heavily-armed officers around the apartment block in Russia’s second-largest city.
The officers haven’t evacuated the building, witnesses told Fontanka media outlet, adding that officers aren’t letting anyone into the building either. The officers did not evacuate the building but did prevent people from entering, witnesses told the Fontanka media outlet.
People claiming to be witnesses have posted reports on social media of shooting taking place in the building.
“Small groups of Special Forces are emerging from the entrance, while others go inside,” a witness told Fontanka.“Small groups of Special Forces are emerging from the entrance, while others go inside,” a witness told Fontanka.
Photos on local media depict people in chemical protection suits on two balconies. Photos on local media depicted people in chemical protection suits on two balconies.
According to Fontanka, a Special Forces officer was carried from the building on a stretcher.According to Fontanka, a Special Forces officer was carried from the building on a stretcher.
People claiming to be witnesses have reported on social media of shooting which took place in the building. The operation lasted some four hours. The officers collected several white cardboard boxes and left, RIA Novosti reported.
At least three alleged fighters have been detained during the operation, RIA Novosti cited law enforcement sources.
Special forces have killed four suspected North Caucasus militants, Russia's Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told TASS.
The operation reportedly lasted some four hours. The officers collected several white cardboard boxes and left, RIA Novosti reported.