In a series of coordinated attacks on Sunday, gunmen targeted churches, synagogues, and a police checkpoint in Dagestan, Russia. These assaults occurred in the cities of Makhachkala, Dagestan’s largest city, and Derbent, a coastal city. The attacks left at least 15 police officers, a priest, and a security guard dead, and resulted in numerous injuries.
The Russian Investigative Committee has launched criminal probes into what they have termed acts of terror. Russian officials reported that police killed four gunmen in Makhachkala and two in Derbent. In Makhachkala, 19 people took shelter inside a church and were later escorted to safety. In Derbent, gunmen attacked a synagogue, which was subsequently set on fire.The attacks occurred on Pentecost Sunday, a significant religious holiday for the Russian Orthodox Church. Archpriest Nikolai Kotelnikov was among those killed. Gayana Gariyeva, a spokeswoman for Dagestan’s interior ministry, confirmed the death toll and reported additional casualties, including a local police chief who succumbed to his injuries.Russia’s National Guard reported that one of its officers was killed in Derbent, with several others wounded. In a separate incident, gunmen fired on a police car in the village of Sergokal, wounding one officer. Law enforcement is investigating potential involvement of local officials’ relatives in the attacks.Sergei Melikov, the leader of Dagestan, indicated that these assaults were attempts to destabilize the region. The Russian news agency TASS cited a source claiming the attackers were linked to an international terrorist organization. Past incidents, including an April plot to attack Moscow’s Crocus City Hall concert venue, have been associated with the Islamic State group, which has declared a presence in the North Caucasus.Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic, has a history of Islamist militant activity. The region saw significant violence between 2007 and 2017 from groups like the Caucasus Emirate, which later aligned with the Islamic State. Despite previous claims by Russian authorities that Islamist fundamentalists would not target Russia due to its supposed interfaith harmony, these recent attacks highlight ongoing security challenges.Footage from the attacks shows gunmen in dark clothing firing at police vehicles. In Derbent, gunmen were reported to have barricaded themselves in a building. Following these events, Russian authorities are continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend the attackers.
