Four men in Dagestan thought to be planning a series of bomb attacks around Victory Day have been killed, Russia's anti-terrorism body said.
In a statement published on its website Wednesday, the Anti-Terrorism Committee said the four men, who reportedly belonged to a Makhachkala-based armed gang, had been shot down by Russian security services.
Late in April, the security organization said it had carried out a special operation in Derbent, Dagestan, and "neutralized" five gang members also thought to be planning attacks.
News of the anti-terrorist operation comes amid growing fears of an attack around the May 9 holiday, commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, with continued unrest in Russia's North Caucasus and growing political turmoil in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Kiev cancelled its Victory Day parade for fears that the event would draw "provocations" from separatists opposed to the central Ukrainian government. Roadblocks have also been set up on key roads leading into the capital for fear of violence, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said in a statement earlier this week.
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