ST. PETERSBURG — Six shopping centres in Russia’s St. Petersburg were once again evacuated Wednesday following the latest round of bomb hoaxes in recent months.

Netizens on Russian social network VKontakte have been quick to attribute the apparent hoaxes to the Dillindger Group, Ukraine-based “telephone terrorists”.

The group has repeatedly threatened shopping centres and other public places in St. Petersburg over recent months in response to Russia’s role in the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.

Local police, however, has yet to confirm the source of the threats.

Although no explosive material has been found at any of the locations targeted by hoaxers in recent months, Russian authorities are dealing with those incidents as a matter of terrorism.