Two armoured brigades enter Astrakhan

Two armoured brigades entered the Southern Russian city of Astrakhan, Grani.ru reports on Wednesday.

The Russian Ministry of Defense didn't comment on the issue.

Tensions are rising in the city as Oleg Shein, who allegedly won the recent elections for city mayor, continues his hunger strike.

According to exit polls and observers, Shein won the ballot, however the local electoral commission declared that another candidate, Mikhail Stolyarov, from the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, received the majority of votes.

Massive rallies have been held in the city since the elections with many prominent opposition activists taking part in them.