Eko Hot Blog reports that Gunmen carried out a series of attacks on synagogues and churches in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday.
The attack resulted in the deaths of a priest, six police officers, and a member of the national guard, according to security officials.
The assaults occurred in Makhachkala, Dagestan’s largest city, and in the coastal city of Derbent, where gunfights were reported to be ongoing.
The Investigative Committee of Russia has launched criminal investigations into what it termed “acts of terror,” while a search for the gunmen is currently underway.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire near a church in Makhachkala, while clashes continued in Derbent, as reported by the TASS state news agency. Dagestan’s interior ministry confirmed the killing of two gunmen in Makhachkala.
The attacks took place on Pentecost Sunday, a religious holiday in the Russian Orthodox Church, highlighting the significance of the timing. Dagestan, which borders Chechnya, is predominantly Muslim.
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The National Antiterrorism Committee stated, “This evening in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala armed attacks were carried out on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police check-point,” according to remarks to RIA Novosti news agency. “As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed.”
The spokeswoman for Dagestan’s interior ministry, Gayana Gariyeva, reported that six police officers had been killed and another 12 wounded in the assaults. Additionally, Russia’s National Guard confirmed the death of one officer in Derbent and injuries to several others.
The slain priest in Derbent was identified as 66-year-old Nikolai Kotelnikov, who had served the community for over four decades.
According to Boruch Gorin, chairman of the public council of Russia’s Federation of Jewish Communities, “The synagogue in Derbent is on fire… Two are killed: a policeman and a security guard.” He added that the synagogue in Makhachkala was also set ablaze.
Sergei Melikov, the leader of Dagestan, stated on Telegram, “This evening in Derbent and Makhachkala unknown (attackers) made attempts to destabilize the situation in society. They were confronted by Dagestani police officers.”
The North Caucasus region, particularly Dagestan and neighboring Chechnya, has been plagued by insurgency and Islamist militant activities for years, despite Russian efforts to maintain security following two wars with Chechen separatists in the 1990s and early 2000s.
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