MOSCOW. Aug 23 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has been briefed by Federal Penitentiary Service head Arkady Gostev on the hostage-taking situation at a penitentiary in the Volgograd region and is awaiting comments by the interior minister, the Federal Security Service director, and the Russian National Guard head.
"The Federal Penitentiary Service head has briefed me on the situation unfolding at a penitentiary in the Volgograd region. In this connection, I would like to listen to the considerations and assessments by the interior minister and the FSB director. Viktor Vasilyevich Zolotov will meet with me soon and report his assessments," Putin said at a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.