MOSCOW, Russia: In Dagestan, in the North Caucasus area of Russia, gunmen attacked a police post, an Orthodox church, and a synagogue on Sunday. The assaults spanned the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent, resulting in the deaths of multiple police officers and an Orthodox priest, among others. The attacks have plunged the region into mourning and raised concerns over renewed terrorist activities.
Sergei Melikov, governor of Dagestan, described the day as a tragedy for the region and the entire country. He reported that over 15 police officers fell victim to what he termed a “terrorist attack,” although he did not specify the exact number of those killed versus injured. The Russian news agency Interfax stated that at least 15 police officers were killed.
These coordinated assaults come just three months after the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in years, where 145 people were killed in an attack claimed by the Islamic State on a concert hall near Moscow. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the Dagestan attacks.
Six of the gunmen were killed as the events unfolded. Russian state news agencies reported that among the attackers were two sons of the head of central Dagestan’s Sergokala district, who have been detained by investigators. The attacks targeted religious and public institutions, exacerbating tensions in a region historically plagued by violence.
In Derbent, an Orthodox priest named Nikolai Kotelnikov, who had served the community for over 40 years, was among the casualties. The synagogue in Derbent was set on fire, resulting in the deaths of a policeman and a security guard. Similarly, the synagogue in Makhachkala was also torched.
Governor Melikov declared June 24-26 as days of mourning in Dagestan. Flags were lowered to half-staff, and all entertainment events were canceled to honor the victims. The region, once a hotspot for Islamist insurgency spilling over from Chechnya in the 2000s, had seen a decrease in attacks in recent years. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed in 2017 to have defeated the insurgency in the region.
In response to the attacks, security was heightened in Makhachkala, with the interior ministry closing exits from the Caspian Sea port city of around 600,000 residents. Authorities were concerned that conspirators might still be at large and attempt to flee.
The international community reacted swiftly. In Israel, the Foreign Ministry reported the destruction of the synagogue in Derbent and confirmed shots fired at a second synagogue in Makhachkala. Fortunately, there were no worshippers in the synagogue at the time of the attack. Russian authorities have frequently pointed to militant Muslim elements as responsible for previous incidents in the region.
Dagestan’s recent history is marred by violence and insurgency. The region lies east of Chechnya, where Russian authorities fought brutal wars against separatists in the 1990s and early 2000s. The defeat of Chechen insurgents did not bring lasting peace, as militants from across the North Caucasus, including Dagestan, have continued to clash with Russian security forces, leading to significant casualties among civilians and police.
The attacks on Sunday underscore the volatile nature of the region and the persistent threat of terrorism. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West and Ukraine of attempting to destabilize Russia, a sentiment echoed by local authorities in response to these latest incidents.
