Moscow: A wave of seemingly coordinated terrorist attacks struck the southern province of Dagestan in Russia, leaving a trail of devastation and loss. Gunmen unleashed violence on multiple fronts, targeting religious institutions and law enforcement.
Derbent: Assault on Faith
In the ancient city of Derbent, an Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin and a local synagogue they faced a hail of automatic gunfire. Witnesses reported hearing shots and seeing smoke engulfing the area around the church. The entire Derbent police force was put on high alert. Videos posted on Telegram showed police cars riddled with bullets and the synagogue consumed by flames.
Tragically, Father Nikolay, a priest at the church, fell victim to the attackers. His throat was brutally slit, and a security guard was gunned down. The synagogue, once a place of worship, now lay in ruins. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that the synagogue was “burned to the ground” in the attack.
Makhachkala: Simultaneous Strikes
Almost simultaneously, Makhachkala, the regional capital, faced its nightmare. A synagogue on Ermoshkina Street caught fire, but fortunately, the flames were extinguished. In parallel with the Derbent assault, unknown militants targeted a traffic police post in Makhachkala. Black-clad gunmen sprayed passing police cars with machine-gun fire. Authorities swiftly announced an “interception” plan to apprehend the attackers.
Grim Toll
The head of the Dagestan region, Sergey Melikov, confirmed the grim toll: 15 police officers and several civilians lost their lives in the attacks. Additionally, six perpetrators were killed during the violent spree. The North Caucasus region, with its history of conflict, once again bore witness to tragedy. Since the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war, Russia’s Jewish community has faced escalating threats of violence. This recent attack adds to the mounting toll of terror in the region.
Investigation and Resilience
As investigators piece together the events, they emphasize the need to identify those responsible for destabilizing the social fabric. An operational headquarters and counter-operation are underway to thwart further panic and fear. The resilient people of Dagestan refuse to be cowed by terror, and the region has declared three days of mourning. Meanwhile, a Dagestani official faces scrutiny due to suspicions surrounding his son’s involvement in the case.
