Gunmen launched a series of deadly attacks on religious sites and a police post in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of an Orthodox priest and at least 15 police officers, according to regional authorities. The attacks occurred simultaneously in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent, targeting a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police station.
Sergei Melikov, the governor of Dagestan, described the events as a “day of tragedy” for the region and the nation in a statement released on the Telegram messaging app. The violence comes three months after a significant terrorist attack near Moscow, claimed by ISIS, which killed 145 people at a concert hall.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for these latest attacks in Dagestan, a region historically plagued by insurgency. Governor Melikov suggested that authorities had identified those behind the attacks and their motives but did not provide further details.
Russian state media reported that the attackers included two sons of the head of the Sergokala district in central Dagestan, who have been detained by investigators. Among the casualties were several civilians and a long-serving Orthodox priest from Derbent.
As the incidents unfolded, six of the assailants were killed, according to Melikov, while the National Anti-Terrorist Committee reported the death of five gunmen. The exact numbers of casualties and assailants have not been independently verified.
In response to the attacks, June 24-26 have been declared days of mourning in Dagestan. Flags will be lowered to half-staff, and all entertainment events are canceled during this period.
The region, once an epicenter of extremist violence, has seen fewer such incidents in recent years. Russian authorities, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), had previously claimed to have subdued the insurgency by 2017. However, recent events suggest a resurgence of violent activity.
Witnesses reported gunfire exchanges in central Makhachkala, and the interior ministry closed exits from the city’s Caspian Sea port. There is concern that some conspirators may still be attempting to flee.
In Derbent, about 125 kilometers south of Makhachkala, both a synagogue and a church were set ablaze. Two attackers were reportedly killed in the process. The synagogue, part of an ancient Jewish community and a UNESCO World Heritage site, was reportedly burned to the ground, with another synagogue in Makhachkala also targeted, though believed to be empty at the time of the attack.
In response to the violence, the head of Russia’s federation of Jewish communities urged the public to avoid reacting to provocations. Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the destruction of the synagogue in Derbent and the attack on the synagogue in Makhachkala.
The violence echoes previous unrest in the region. Last October, Makhachkala airport was stormed by rioters looking for Jewish passengers from Tel Aviv.
