World Cup 2018 security crackdown: Russia uses armed ROBOT to wipe out jihadis
RUSSIAN special forces sent an armed robot into battle with Islamic extremists and wiped out 11 jihadists as part of a widening security crackdown ahead of this summer's World Cup finals.
Russian special forces strike ISIS 'sleeper cells' in Dagestan
Counter-terrorism forces have been in action in the volatile region of Dagestan for several days as they try to stamp out extremism ahead of the fast-approaching tournament.
Dramatic footage showed marksman firing on a house from an armoured vehicle before a compact armed robot is seen approaching the property to engage the jihadists.
The bodies of six men were later shown in pictures released by investigative authorities.
Russian troops surround a jihadist cell in Dagestan
The militants eliminated in Derbent and the surrounding district were members of co-called sleeper cells
Video and audio recordings taken by the robot reveal the voices of rebels shouting “Allahu Akbar”, followed by an explosion.
Derbent, where the video was filmed, is 590 miles southeast of Volgograd, where England will play their opening World Cup qualifying group game.
The FSB security service has warned terrorism is the main threat to the World Cup.
A spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee, which probes serious crime, said: “Guns, bullets, knives and grenades were discovered at the scene.”
Officials said 11 men were killed in the latest World Cup security crackdown
A handmade bomb, equal in power to five kilograms of TNT, was discovered before the house went up in flames.
Three men, who authorities said had “links to the underground radical Islamic movement” were later shot dead in Derbent after they opened fire on special forces operatives who asked them for ID.
The Investigative Committee spokesman said: “Special forces asked for their documents and the terrorists took out their guns and opened fire.
“Police shot back and all the attackers were liquidated at the scene. No police or civilians were injured during the incident.”
In another operation two alleged members of an armed underground unit were killed in a forest near Derbent.
A security source said: “A grenade launcher, an assault rifle, cartridges, and a variety of criminal gear were found at the scene of the fight.”
Senior Dagestan Interior Ministry official Sergei Karpov said: “The militants eliminated in Derbent and the surrounding district were members of co-called sleeper cells.”