Many of the attackers had swastika-like insignia

They come to Moscow from the neighbouring Stavropol region, or the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan.

But such distinctions matter little to the skinheads who attacked three Moscow bazaars on Tuesday.

They ran through the markets wielding iron bars and chanting racist slogans.

Many of them wore the swastika-like insignia of the extreme right-wing movement Russian National Unity.

When police arrived and fired shots in the air, many of the rioters disappeared into the metro.

The riot was the second of its kind this year.

In April, right-wing youths smashed up another market in southern Moscow on the anniversary of the birth of Adolf Hitler.

People of Caucasian origin often claim that they are not protected by the authorities.

It is common to see darker skinned people being stopped by the police in Moscow and having their documents checked.