Second Prison Guard Dead After Failed Inmate Escape Attempt in North Caucasus

Oct. 7, 2026 The Russian Investigative Committee A Russian prisoner who was extradited from Georgia last month was shot dead after attempting to escape a transport train in the North Caucasus last week, killing two prison guards and injuring two others. The Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) on Wednesday confirmed the second officer died in a hospital from wounds sustained last Friday, Oct. 2, during the incident at a station in the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. One guard died at the scene near the Murtazovo station en route from the republic of North Ossetia-Alania to the Krasnodar region. FSIN said it shot and killed the inmate on the spot. The surviving officers who contained the situation will receive state honors, while the families of the two deceased guards will receive financial support, FSIN said. The deceased inmate was reportedly identified as 43-year-old Dmitry Pushkaryov, who was extradited from Georgia to Russia on Sept. 24 alongside another suspect. Pushkaryov was said to face drug trafficking charges, with Russian authorities claiming he helped create a narcotics lab on a dairy farm in Far East Russia and managed an online drugs marketplace before fleeing abroad. The Investigative Committee, Russia’s top investigative body, has opened a criminal probe into weapons theft, assault on law enforcement officers and disrupting the operation of a penal institution. Read more about: Prisoners , Caucasus Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russian Prisons ‘Lost’ Up to 17,000 Convicts in 2022 - Mediazona In exchange for a six-month military contract, mercenary outfit Wagner offered prisoners a pardon. 1 Min read Ailing Navalny Ordered to 6 Months in Punishment Cell Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been ordered to spend six months in a designated punishment cell, he said Wednesday as his supporters expressed... Russian Doctors Implore Putin to ‘Stop Abusing’ Navalny in Open Letter Dozens of Russian doctors signed an open letter on Tuesday urging Russian President Vladimir Putin "to stop abusing" jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny... Russian National Guard Officers Injured in Grenade Attack in Ingushetia Two suspects opened fire and threw a grenade at the officers in a shopping mall in Ingushetia on Wednesday.