Russian soldier shoots dead two residents in Chechen village

A Russian contract soldier opened fire without provocation in a Chechen village, killing two local men.

The soldier, from a unit deployed on the outskirts of the mountain village of Itum-Kale, made a call from a public telephone booth and upon emerging suddenly began shooting at a nearby parked car. Two young men were sitting in it, one of whom was from the local police; both men died instantly.

The soldier was detained at the crime scene and only saved from the wrath of bystanders by being taken to a nearby police station.

The reason for the shooting is not entirely clear although the fact that he was drunk may have played a part. However there is one version circulating that he was either angered by a quarrel he had with someone on the phone or received some bad news.

The outcome of this senseless shooting will be decided by the court.