FIVE terrorism suspects have been detained in one of Russia's North Caucasus provinces as the country's security agencies scramble to uproot any potential threat to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

The raid in the city of Nalchik, located about 185 miles (300km) east of Sochi, comes less than a month before the start of the event on February 7.

The National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the suspects belonged to an international terrorist group and were in possession of grenades, ammunition and a self-made explosive device.