Pussy Riot members whipped by Cossacks in Sochi

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse.

The members of the feminist punk collective have already had their fair share of trouble since arriving in Sochi, but this latest bit of news is just disgusting. Apparently, the women had their latest protests interrupted by pepper spray and whip-wielding Cossacks.

Via AP:

Six group members - five women and one man - donned their signature ski masks and were pulling out a guitar and microphone as at least 10 Cossacks and other security officials moved in. One Cossack appeared to use pepper spray, another whipped several group members while others ripped off their masks and threw the guitar in a garbage can.

Simon Ostrovsky, a report for VICE, tweeted as the incident was happening.

Group of cossacks just thrashed pussy riot in Sochi with whip handles and pepper spray.

— Simon Ostrovsky (@SimonOstrovsky) February 19, 2014

Of course, the Cossacks aren't actually an extension of the Russian government, but have begun to be used as a sort of auxilary police force in southern Russia.