Accessibility links

Breaking News

Russia Deploys Riot Troops To Stop Ethnic Clashes


19 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Russia has deployed more than 1,000 riot troops in the southern Astrakhan Oblast to stop ethnic clashes between Chechens and Kalmyks that already left one man dead and many injured.

A huge fight broke out yesterday in the village of Yandyki at a funeral of a 24-year-old Kalmyk man who was killed by ethnic Chechens in a barroom fight on 15 August.

Fighting between Chechens and Kalmyks started during the evening of 15-16 August.

By yesterday some 300 people became involved after several homes and vehicles were burned.

Russia's RIA-Novosti reported 1,160 Interior Ministry troops were now in Yandyki to restore order.

In a statement, the Astrakhan Oblast governor's office said the situation was under control.

(AFP/gazeta.ru/RFE/RL's Russian Service)

For RFE/RL's full coverage of events in Chechnya, see "Crisis In Chechnya"

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG