Russian protest group Pussy Riot have been beaten with whips by Cossacks who are helping patrol Sochi during the Winter Olympics.

Footage shows Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, who served prison sentences over a protest in a church against President Vladimir Putin, being attacked as five band members tried to perform a song.

Police questioned witnesses, however no one was arrested.

On Monday, the pair were arrested on suspicion of theft at Sochi, but later released.