Russia facing skinhead threat

President Vladimir Putin this week called the growth of extremism "a serious threat to stability and public security in Russia"

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia's skinheads have declared war on foreigners.

Embassies in the Russian capital were sent e-mails threatening that to mark the birthday of Hitler, which falls this Saturday, "We will kill all foreigners we see. ... Russia is for Russians."

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is taking the threat seriously, warning all Americans in Russia to be cautious.

A week and a half ago, U.S. citizens were verbally assaulted on Red Square and on a popular pedestrian street.

And near one Metro station, an interpreter from Afghanistan was beaten. He later died.

The Russian Interior Ministry says there are 1,000 skinheads in the country, and another 10,000 sympathizers.

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It keeps no specific data on skinhead violence, but according to some reports, more than a dozen foreigners have been killed and 100 hospitalized in the past two years. Darker-skinned people are special targets.

The wife of the South African ambassador was accosted by skinheads, who put out a cigarette on her chest.

For construction worker Honore Juste Setilahy and his family, the war against foreigners has already begun.

He's back from 10 days in the hospital after having his skull broken by skinheads.

"They beat us with metal pipes and bricks," he said. "There were about 15 of them, I think. Teenagers. They yelled, 'Blacks go home! Skins don't stop!'"

President Vladimir Putin this week called the growth of extremism "a serious threat to stability and public security in Russia."

Police and prosecutors, he says, have no effective instruments to punish those who instigate the violence. His administration is proposing new legislation.

Russia's Interior Ministry, meanwhile, is promising to crack down this weekend.

"Beginning today we're launching Operation Anti-Extremist," says the ministry's Alexander Chekalin.

"We're increasing security at embassies, open-air markets and other places owned or frequented by foreigners."

But some international students in Moscow say they can't count on the police for protection.

Celso Moran, a Peruvian who runs a student nightclub, was run off the road by skinheads.

"At first (the police) tried to convince us not to pursue the matter," Moran said. "They kind of threatened us, they said, 'Forgive the guys, they're just young kids.'"

The students have organized a hotline this weekend for any emergencies. But many say they plan to stay home -- just in case.