Orthodox churches and a synagogue were attacked in the capital, Makhachkala, and the coastal city of Derbent. The authorities denounced “terrorist” acts.
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The anti-terrorist operation is over. Armed men who attacked Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police checkpoint on Sunday June 23 were neutralized, according to the Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK). These attacks left at least 19 people dead, including four civilians, in the Dagestan capital Makhachkala and the coastal city of Derbent.
A 66-year-old priest of the Russian Orthodox Church was killed in Derbent, according to Russian authorities. At least 15 police officers were also killed. They “protected the civilian inhabitants (…) at the cost of their lives”, underlined the regional leader, Sergei Melikov. The authorities’ initial toll reported eight police officers and a priest killed in the attacks.
“Unknown people fired automatic weapons at a synagogue and a church” from Derbent around 6 p.m. (5 p.m. in Paris), said the Dagestan Interior Ministry. On Telegram, the administration also published a video showing attackers shooting at police officers in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan.
A total of four shooters were killed by police, according to the Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee. A synagogue was also set on fire, according to Boruch Gorin, the president of the public council of Jewish communities in Russia.
