Hundreds of law enforcement officers have cordoned off an area near Sennoy Market in St. Petersburg, Russia, as part of a large-scale migration raid.

Axar.az reports, citing Russian media, that special forces and operational officers are checking the documents of foreign nationals at a prayer room attended by up to 1,000 people. Officers have also searched nearby hostels and ethnic cafes.

Military enlistment office staff joined the operation, checking whether men who recently obtained Russian citizenship had registered for military service. Several dozen people have received summonses.

Dozens of worshippers were detained over suspected violations of migration regulations.