Six detainees on the run after escape through secret tunnel in Russia

They patiently dug an underground passage, before rushing into it in the night to escape. In Lipetsk, 350 km south of Moscow (Russia), six men escaped from prison using a secret tunnel. The underground passage was discovered on the perimeter of the prison during an early morning patrol by staff from penal colony number 2.

These six prisoners are actively sought by the authorities. “I understand that such news may cause concern, but I ask you not to panic,” said Igor Artamonov, governor of the region. “All operational services are focused on their research,” he added.

According to the prison services, all the prisoners on the run are from Central Asia. No further information has been made public regarding their profiles and identities. The Telegram channels MASH and Baza, known to be close to the authorities, indicated that these were detainees convicted of cases of sexual violence and drugs.