Russia's Dagestan Mourns After Gunmen Attack Synagogues and Churches, Killing Officers and Priest

Russia’s Dagestan began three days of mourning on Monday after a series of coordinated attacks on synagogues and churches left multiple police officers, an Orthodox priest, and several civilians dead. The attacks, which occurred on Sunday across two cities in the North Caucasus region, have been condemned as a "terrorist attack" by the governor of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov.

"This is a day of tragedy for Dagestan and the whole country," Melikov said in a video published early on Monday on the Telegram messaging app. The governor's words were echoed by the Russian Orthodox Church, which described the murder of Orthodox priest Nikolai Kotelnikov as "brutal" and "senseless".

According to Melikov, more than 15 police officers "fell victim" to the attacks, although the exact number of fatalities is unclear. Russia's Interfax agency reported that at least 15 police officers were killed in the violence. The attacks also claimed the life of several civilians, including the Orthodox priest, who had served in Derbent for over 40 years.

The attacks, which occurred just three months after a devastating attack on a concert hall near Moscow that killed 145 people, have sent shockwaves through the region. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, Melikov hinted that the authorities have a clear idea of who was behind the violence. "We understand who is behind the organization of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued," he said, without providing further details.

The search for the gunmen is ongoing, with six of the attackers shot and killed as the incidents unfolded. Russian state news agencies reported that five of the gunmen had been killed. Two sons of the head of central Dagestan's Sergokala district were among the attackers and have been detained by investigators.

Why it Matters : The attacks on Dagestan's synagogues and churches are a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Russia's North Caucasus region. The region has long been plagued by violence and instability, with militant groups often targeting civilians and security forces. The attacks also highlight the need for greater cooperation and coordination between regional authorities and federal agencies to combat terrorism.

In response to the attacks, the Dagestan region has declared three days of mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast and all entertainment events cancelled. The governor of Dagestan has vowed to continue the search for the gunmen until all of them are identified and brought to justice.

As the region begins to come to terms with the scale of the violence, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of Russia's counter-terrorism strategy and the measures in place to protect civilians and security forces.

Key Takeaways :  

• Dagestan begins three days of mourning following attacks on synagogues and churches that left police officers, a priest, and civilians dead.
• The region in Russia's North Caucasus faces ongoing instability and militancy.
• Governor Sergei Melikov condemns the attacks as terrorism, vowing to apprehend all gunmen.
• Recent violence follows a major attack near Moscow, underlining Russia's persistent security challenges.
• Dagestan mourns with lowered flags and cancelled events, grappling with the aftermath of the violence.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TrimFeed (@trimfeednews)