Two Russian police officers shot dead

Authorities are hunting four suspects in a car in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan after the group shot dead two police officers.

Two Russian police officers were shot dead while working at the scene of a traffic accident. Illustration photo: Shutter

Police arrived at the scene of a traffic accident in the city of Astrakhan on the evening of April 3 after being informed of a car collision. According to initial information, those involved in the accident shot dead two officers and then fled.

Police are searching for the GAZel car the suspects used to escape, RIA Novosti news agency reported. One of the officers shot dead had two children.

The attack comes amid heightened alert in Russia following a bombing on a St. Petersburg subway that killed 11 people and injured 45. The attack is suspected to be a terrorist attack. The city of St. Petersburg has declared three days of mourning.

Location of the city of Astrakhan, southern Russia. Graphic: WorldAtlas

According to VNE