The Russian republic of Dagestan was rocked by a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that targeted religious sites and a police checkpoint in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent. The assailants, who remain unidentified, carried out the deadly assaults using automatic weapons, leading to the deaths of at least six police officers and a priest. Additionally, 12 individuals were reported injured in the attacks.The violence unfolded at a synagogue, two Orthodox churches, and a police station, with social media footage capturing a fire that broke out at the synagogue in Derbent. A state of emergency was declared in the aftermath of the attacks, as authorities scrambled to respond to the crisis. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened criminal proceedings for terrorist attacks, and a manhunt for the attackers is currently in progress.Dagestan’s governor, Sergei Melikov, described the attacks as an attempt to destabilize the region. The region, which borders Chechnya and is one of the poorest in Russia, has been placed under a counter-terrorism operation. The Russian authorities have deployed helicopters and armored vehicles to the area as part of the ongoing security operations.The attacks have left the communities in Makhachkala and Derbent in a state of shock and mourning, with the religious and law enforcement communities particularly impacted by the loss of life. The Russian government has vowed to bring those responsible to justice and to reinforce measures to prevent further acts of terrorism.
Key points
- Coordinated terrorist attacks in Dagestan targeted a synagogue, two Orthodox churches, and a police checkpoint, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
- At least six police officers and a priest were killed, with 12 others injured during the attacks.
- A manhunt is underway as the Russian authorities conduct a criminal investigation into the terrorist acts.
Contradictions👾Different sources report varying numbers of police officers killed, with some stating six and others five.
👾There are conflicting reports about the extent of damage to the synagogue, with some sources reporting it was almost completely destroyed, while others mention a fire broke out.
