UPDATE 2 - Russia says all hostages freed at Volgograd penal colony

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY RUSSIA'S NATIONAL GUARD, FEDERAL PENITENTIARY SERVICE; CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE; REVISIONS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia announced Friday that a deadly hostage situation at a southwestern penal colony came to an end after all surviving staff members seized by several prisoners were freed.

Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) said that four prisoners at the IK-19 penal colony in the Volgograd region had taken 12 hostages, including eight FSIN personnel.

"The criminals inflicted stab wounds of varying severity on four employees, three of whom died. Another four who resisted were hospitalized, one of whom died in the hospital," the statement said.

The statement further said that all four of the prisoners were "eliminated" during an operation conducted by the FSIN and Russia's National Guard.

It also said the four convicts held hostage had been injured, adding that there were no casualties among staff who took part in the operation to free the hostages.

Previously, Russian state news agency TASS reported that a hostage was killed by the prisoners, citing a source from the operational services.

The press service of Russia's Investigative Committee also told TASS that investigators have opened a criminal case into the incident.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a briefing session with permanent members of the country's Security Council, during which the situation at the penal colony was discussed, according to the Kremlin.

The IK-19 penal colony is located in the town of Surovikino, about 122 kilometers (79 miles) west of the city of Volgograd.