BAKSAN, Russia, July 21 (UPI) -- The supply of energy to a North Caucasus republic wasn't cut short following an armed attack on a hydropower plant, an energy official said Wednesday.
Four gunmen stormed the Baksan hydropower plant Wednesday in the North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, killing two security guards in the attack. The group set off four bombs in the facility, sparking a fire that engulfed more than 2,500 square feet of the plant.
A spokesman for Baksan operator RusHydro said energy supplies to the area weren't affected by the attack, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reports.
"The plant plays a minor role in the energy system of North Caucasus, since its capacity is just 25 megawatts," a RusHydro statement read. "There is no and will be no disruption to electricity supplies."
Terrorism officials in Russia said Wednesday the suspects in the attack had been identified by authorities.
The Kremlin has been locked in a running battle with militants in Dagestan and other republics in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus.
Alexander Khloponin, an envoy to the North Caucasus, said security in the area was a challenge.
"The situation in the republic … is complicated and many forces are trying to destabilize it," he said.
