'Deserter' gunman in camouflage opens fire on police as Russian town is locked down

The suspect, dressed in camouflage and carrying an automatic weapon, fired at a group of police officers in Novoshakhtinsk, wounding married cop Roman Biryukov, 27 years old, before going on the run

Cars have been stopped in the city as police try to find the shooter

A Russian town has been plunged into lockdown as cops track down a camouflage-draped 'deserter' gunman who opened fire on their fellow officers.

An unidentified suspect fired an automatic weapon at a group of police officers in Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov region, western Russia, according to the Main Directorate of the Interior Ministry.

The injured officer has been identified as 27-year-old Roman Biryukov. The life of the married officer is not in danger, according to reports.

The department confirmed that the attack took place around midnight today in a town about eight kilometers from Rostov's border with Ukraine, and more specifically from the so-called Luhansk People's Republic which , according to Vladimir Putin, is now part of Russia.

Local media has confirmed that a containment plan has been put in place in the city as cops search for a man in camouflage, who is between 180 and 190cm tall.

Entrances and exits to the city have been closed and checkpoints have been set up along the borders, according to reports.

“Efforts are underway in the city to locate and arrest the perpetrator of an attack on law enforcement officers,” a local official said.

Reports indicate that it is the 27-year-old police officer, whose first name is believed to be Roman, who was shot dead today (

Picture:

social media/East2west News)

"It is now necessary to leave the streets, take shelter indoors and not attempt to arrest the suspect on your own."

The Russian Interior Ministry said: "The crime...