Gunmen Kill Over 15 Policemen and Several Civilians in Russia's Southern Dagestan Region
More than 15 policemen and several civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were killed by armed militants in Dagestan, Russia's southern republic, on Sunday. Governor Sergei Melikov shared this in a video statement early Monday.
Gunmen opened fire on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a police station in two cities, officials said
Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee called the attacks in the mostly Muslim region of Dagestan acts of terrorism. The region will observe three days of mourning from Monday to Wednesday.
Gunmen attacked a synagogue and a church in Derbent, setting both buildings on fire, according to Dagestan's Interior Ministry. At the same time, there were reports of attacks on a church and a traffic police station in Makhachkala. Authorities launched an anti-terror operation, and the counter-terrorism unit said five gunmen were killed, while the governor cited six. The exact number of terrorists involved is not known.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet. Authorities have started a criminal investigation for terrorism.
Russian state news agency Tass reported that a Dagestani official was detained because his sons were involved in the attacks.
In a video statement, Governor Melikov said the situation is under control and promised to continue the investigation until all militant cells are found. He suggested, without evidence, that the attacks might have been planned from abroad and linked them to Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
In March, gunmen killed 145 people at a concert hall near Moscow. The Islamic State claimed responsibility, but Russian officials also tried to link Ukraine to the attack, a claim Kyiv denied.
Gunmen on Sunday attacked synagogues, churches & a police checkpoint in Russia’s Dagestan, killing a priest & at least 6 police officers of the North Caucasus region’s national guard.
— NoHoldsBarred (@AussieSteve64) June 24, 2024
Russian Channel 112 says there are 9 deaths & 25 wounded in Dagestan. pic.twitter.com/yi7YeynqLS pic.twitter.com/QGkLEDCbK9
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