Russia: More than a dozen dead in synagogue, church attacks in’s Dagestan

Simultaneous attacks occurred in Dagestan's largest city of Makhachkala and in the coastal city of Derbent

June 24, 2024

Russian Police kill four gunmen in Makhachkala and two in Derbent

Gunmen have attacked churches, a synagogue, and a police post in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan, killing at least 15 police and National Guard officers, several civilians and an Orthodox priest, and several others were injured, according to authorities.

The simultaneous attacks occurred in Dagestan’s largest city of Makhachkala and in the coastal city of Derbent with Governor Sergei Melikov calling it a “terrorist attack”.

Places of worship were also attacked in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan and its largest city, approximately 125km (78 miles) away, where the police post also came under attack.

Officials said that the police personnel had killed four gunmen in Makhachkala and two in Derbent.

Videos posted on social media and shown on Russian TV showed the skies of Derbent, which is home to an ancient Jewish community in the mainly Muslim region, filled with smoke and flames after the synagogue was set on fire.

Melikov said that among the dead, in addition to the police officers, were several civilians, including an Orthodox priest who had worked in Derbent for more than 40 years.

“This evening in Derbent and Makhachkala unknown (attackers) made attempts to destabilize the situation in society. We know who is behind these terrorist attacks and what objective they are pursuing” Melikov wrote on Telegram.

“We must understand that war comes to our homes too. We felt it, but today we face it,” he said.

Melikov said the “active phase” of operations in Derbent and Makhachkala had ended and that “six bandits have been liquidated“.

The authorities will try to find “all the members of these sleeper cells who prepared (the attacks) and who were prepared, including abroad“, he added.

He also said that June 24-26 have been declared days of mourning in Dagestan, with flags lowered to half-staff and all entertainment events cancelled.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had opened criminal investigations over “acts of terror” in Dagestan, which neighbours Chechnya and is one of the poorest areas of Russia.

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