The 89 meter long, 1750 dwt freighter Samur 8 went aground on the Volga-Caspian Sea Canal near the 126 kilometer mark.  Attempts to refloat itself failed and the freighter has requested assistance.  The Samur 8 was travelling from Astrakhan to Enzeli, Iran with a cargo of scrap.  No reports of injuries or pollution being released.