Multiple Attacks in Dagestan Leave 15 Police Officers, Priest, and Civilians Dead; Synagogues and Church Destroyed

A synagogue in the coastal city of Derbent was targeted by unknown individuals who opened fire, resulting in a fire that destroyed the building. An Orthodox church in the same city was also shot at and burned down, claiming the life of a 66-year-old priest. Derbent is situated on the west coast of the Caspian Sea and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In the regional capital Makhachkala, located over 100 kilometers north of Derbent, a police station, a church, and a synagogue were also attacked. The chairman of the Russian Council of Jewish Communities reported that a synagogue was set on fire. Following the incidents, a manhunt was conducted, resulting in the deaths of two attackers in Derbent and four in Makhachkala.

After the attacks, a police car in the village of Sergokala came under fire, injuring an officer. Dagestan’s Interior Ministry stated that unidentified gunmen targeted the police officers in the vehicle. The region’s president, Sergei Melikov, confirmed that several civilians, police officers, and a priest lost their lives in the attacks, declaring days of mourning in Dagestan.

The attacks, which seem coordinated, were not claimed immediately, but Melikov hinted at a potential connection to the conflict in Ukraine and foreign involvement in the planning of the attacks. Efforts were made to track down all individuals involved, with large-scale operations initiated by the Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee. At the conclusion of the operation, the threats to civilians were neutralized, and anti-terrorism measures were halted.