Gunmen open fire at synagogue and churches in Dagestan
In two urban areas of the Russian republic of Dagestan, hidden attackers launched assaults on houses of faith of various beliefs. A law enforcement station was also targeted. Russian officials report six fatalities, numerous injured policemen, and a priest among the dead in these attacks.
A sequence of attacks occurred in the Russian republic of Dagestan, located in the North Caucasus region. According to TASS state news, unknown perpetrators opened fire on a synagogue in the city of Derbent in the south, and an Orthodox church was also targeted with shelling. A fire erupted in the synagogue following a shootout. At the same time, a police station and another church were attacked in the regional capital, Machatschkala, approximately 100 kilometers away.
Initial reports suggest that an Orthodox priest and several police officers were among the casualties in these terrorist attacks, as confirmed by the Russian Investigative Committee. Interfax news agency later reported, based on security sources, that six officers and 23 policemen were killed in the firefights, and two attackers were also neutralized. The authorities continue to search for the remaining suspects who may have escaped. A criminal investigation has been launched.
Governor of Dagestan, Sergey Melikov, described the attack on Telegram as an effort to create turmoil in the region. The Islamic-influenced Dagestan is one of the economically poorest regions in Russia. This Russian republic shares its border with Chechnya.
