In his Telegram post, Governor Artamonov confirmed that all available emergency services had been mobilized to locate the escapees. Initial investigations by the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) revealed an underground tunnel within the prison grounds. Upon counting the inmates, officials discovered six were missing.

While FSIN’s website did not specify the prisoners’ names, the service confirmed they were all from Central Asia. Governor Artamonov later announced that two of the fugitives had been apprehended in the neighboring Tambov region, and the search continues for the remaining four inmates.

A criminal investigation has been launched against prison officials, who are accused of negligence leading to the inmates’ escape.