The attacks demonstrate a broadening of the target criteria by these gangs, whose focus in the past was on African, East Asian and Indian exchange students. Neither the universities nor Russian security services has been able to prevent such attacks, forcing discussions at the diplomatic level.

The majority of racially motivated attacks are perpetrated by skinheads, neo-Nazis and other street thugs who have grown more powerful by filling the void left by inadequate police and judicial institutions in Russia. Many of these gangs began as local protection groups, dispensing street justice when authorities failed to act. This type of vigilantism is common in communities with rampant crime and dysfunctional law enforcement. In one case in Russia, a skinhead group in Moscow was called all the way to Tomsk, four time zones away, to punish a man who had raped a girl. Before the authorities could investigate and file a proper case, the man was beaten and skinned alive. These ultraconservatives believe they must expel non-Russians from the country in order to defend it.

In the first reported incident involving American students, a gang of Russian youths attacked a dark-skinned student and his blonde friend on Kazanskaya Street in central St. Petersburg. The two were returning from a bar when a group of about 15 young men surrounded them and repeatedly beat the victim for several minutes, leaving the blonde friend untouched. The assault occurred in the middle of the street in full view of several bystanders. The gang, which did not rob either student, was heard yelling, "Blacks out of Russia!" throughout the assault.

In September, an Asian-American exchange student in St. Petersburg narrowly avoided an attack by a roaming street gang that had followed him from an Internet cafe to his apartment complex. As the student rushed to close the door of his building, an 8-inch kitchen knife was jabbed at the student's throat. This attempted assault occurred in the same area as the August attack.

Americans are not the only ones being targeted, however. In August 2005, two diplomats from the Polish Embassy in Moscow were attacked by street gangs. The assaults occurred within walking distance of the embassy and were believed to be reprisal attacks for earlier beatings that occurred against the sons of Russian diplomats in Warsaw.

Attacks of this nature -- targeting darker-skinned foreigners who tend to stand out from the lighter-skinned Russians -- have become quite common. Part of the problem for the students is that universities that host exchange students in St. Petersburg and Moscow encourage students to openly explore the cities and experience local cultures. Without the accompaniment of university officials to steer them clear of potentially dangerous spots, these students present an easy target to gangs.

So far, Russian authorities have been unable to stop these gangs from targeting foreigners. Those traveling to Russia should remain vigilant of the threat and exercise proper situational awareness. The perpetrators do not follow a certain method of operation and attack whenever they see an opportunity, regardless of bystanders in the area.