Multiple fatalities reported due to assaults on churches and synagogues in the Russian region of Dagestan.
In the heart of Dagestan, namely its largest city Machatschkala, authorities claim four assailants were neutralized. meanwhile, Derbent saw the demise of two armed suspects. Sources say the intense phase of the operation in the coastal city has concluded. The Russian Investigative Committee has launched an extensive probe into alleged acts of terrorism.
As per the Dagestani Interior Ministry, during the operations in Derbent and Machatschkala, eight law enforcement personnel lost their lives, another later succumbed to injuries. In total, an alarming 16 individuals, including 14 policemen, were injured. The Russian National Guard confirmed the loss of one of its members in Derbent.
The Anti-Terror Committee also reported the brutal death of an Orthodox priest in Derbent. The Russian Orthodox Church confirmed the unfortunate assassination of Archbishop Nikolai Kotelnikov.
Synagogues in both cities were targeted. Boruch Gorin, Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, reported the Derbent synagogue was engulfed in flames via the Telegram messaging service. The synagogue in Machatschkala met a similar tragic fate.
The Jewish Congress in Russia stated the Derbent synagogue attack occurred 40 minutes before evening prayers. Armed individuals allegedly fired upon the security forces and hurled Molotov cocktails into the synagogue, causing the chaos in Machatschkala to unfold similarly.
Reports from the Interior Ministry also suggest armed individuals attacked a police vehicle in Sergokala, a village nestled between Machatschkala and Derbent. A policeman was injured in the incident.
Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region, lies on the border with Georgia and Azerbaijan. Its Governor, Sergey Melikov, denounced the attacks as a sinister plot to disrupt the societal harmony. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill, expressed grave concern over the enemy's intent to shatter the interfaith peace in Russia and sow discord.
In April, four suspects were apprehended in the Kavkasus Republic of Dagestan in connection to the deadly attack on Crocus City Hall, a suburb of Moscow. Reports indicate they are accused by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) of funding and arming the assailants responsible for the Hall attack, which claimed more than 140 lives in March. Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack.
