Russia stabbings: Eight injured and attacker 'wearing fake suicide belt' shot dead by police in knife attack

Eight people were injured after a knifeman "wearing a fake suicide belt" went on a frenzied stabbing rampage in Russia.

The attacker was shot dead by police after apparently stabbing passersby in the central city of Surgut at about 11.20am local time on Saturday.

The injured people have been taken to hospital, where two are in critical condition, the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Witnesses have told Russian media agencies the attacker appeared to be wearing a fake suicide belt as he began his horrific rampage.

Police are working to establish a motive for the attack.

Russia's Investigative Committee said armed police "liquidated" the attacker shortly after he stabbed eight people.

A spokesman said: "In the interests of public calm and also of the investigation, citizens and media are recommended to use reliable information in assessing the situation until all the circumstances are established."

It comes after two people were killed when a knifeman went on a rampage in the city of Turku, in Finland, on Friday.

Police have since confirmed the incident is being treated as a terror attack.

Surgut is a Russian city about 1,330 miles northeast of Moscow in the oil-rich Khanty-Mansi region. It has a population of about 350,000.

ISIS have since taken responsibility for the attack, but Russian authorities are yet to comment.