In Russia's Dagestan region, two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police station were targeted in attacks on Sunday. The incidents resulted in the deaths of a priest and at least seven security personnel, including six local policemen. Following the attacks, a counter-terrorism operation has been initiated in Dagestan, with ongoing gunfire exchanges reported at some locations, some of which are engulfed in flames.
The assaults occurred in Makhachkala, the regional capital, and the city of Derbent. Russian authorities have identified the perpetrators as members of an "international terrorist organization" but have not disclosed further details. Initial accounts indicated that the assailants fired upon the religious structures in Makhachkala using automatic weapons before fleeing in a vehicle.
A separate conflict was documented near the church in Makhachkala, with reports suggesting around 40 individuals might be held hostage inside, a claim yet to be officially confirmed by authorities. Additionally, a traffic police station in the heart of Makhachkala fell under attack, resulting in casualties among law enforcement officers. The incidents resulted in fatalities among police officers in both Makhachkala and Derbent. In Derbent, a 66-year-old Orthodox priest lost his life during the church assault, with reports alleging that the attackers slit his throat.
Furthermore, the synagogue in Derbent was set on fire, with concerns that assailants might still be inside, prompting firefighters to exercise caution. A video of the attack on police officers in Derbent circulated on social media, showcasing intense gunfire exchange and law enforcement's response to the assailants. Witnesses reported ongoing gunfire in central Derbent, with local authorities engaged in a confrontation near the Orthodox church.
The attacks have been denounced by local Muslim leaders, with the North Caucasus Muslim Coordination Council denouncing the perpetrators as "brutal and hateful beasts," and Chechen Republic chief Ramzan Kadyrov labeling the incidents as a "villainous provocation" aimed at instigating religious discord.
