Russian authorities are investigating a blast that killed at least 17 people and sent 100 others to the hospital.

Eye witnesses told investigators that a suicide car bomber drove a vehicle into a busy market place in Vladikavkaz, the capital of the Russian Republic of North Ossetia.

The area is one of the few provinces in Russia that has a majority orthodox Christian population.

The northern region struggles with violence stemming from two separatist wars in Chechnya, poverty and corruption within the government and police department.

Sergey Rakhuba, senior vice president of Russian Ministries, told CBN News the recent attack is not surprising since North Ossetia has very dangerous neighbors.

The ministry works with evangelical churches in the region.  Rakhuba said Russian Ministries plans to reach out to the victims of the recent terror attack.

Click play to watch Rakhuba's comments to CBN News on the violence in this Christian area of Russia.