Terror Attacks in Three Locations in Russia: Priest Beheaded, Churches and Police Station Attacked; 9 Dead, 4 Terrorists Killed

On Sunday, June 23, terrorists launch attacks on two churches, a synagogue, and a police checkpoint in Dagestan, Russia. These coordinated attacks resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including a priest and eight police officers. Additionally, 25 police officers were injured, and four terrorists were killed in the confrontations.

According to CNN, the terrorists brutally killed the 66-year-old priest by slitting his throat. The synagogue and churches targeted in the attacks are located in the city of Derbent, Dagestan, which is a stronghold of the Jewish community in the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region. The police station that was attacked is in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, situated 125 kilometers from Derbent.

The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed the attacks in a statement. The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dagestan reported that a group of armed assailants opened fire on a synagogue and a church, resulting in the deaths of four terrorists. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining attackers who managed to flee the scene.

Synagogue Catches Fire After Terrorist Attacks in Dagestan

Following the attacks, a fire broke out in the synagogue in Derbent, Dagestan. According to Al Jazeera News Network, both a synagogue and a church were set ablaze due to the terrorist attacks. Videos of the incidents have surfaced on social media, showing the assailants fleeing in a car. The terrorists also opened fire at another Jewish place of worship, fortunately, it was empty at the time.

Russian news agency TASS reported that the attackers were affiliated with an international terrorist organization. As of now, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Dagestan Blames Ukraine and NATO for Terrorist Attacks

Dagestan has held Ukraine and NATO countries responsible for the recent terrorist attacks. Abdulkhakim Gadzhiev, a leader in Dagestan, stated on Telegram, “There is no doubt that these terrorist attacks are somehow linked to the intelligence services of Ukraine and NATO countries.”

Ukraine has not yet issued any statement regarding the terrorist attacks in Russia. Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of neighboring Chechnya, commented that the incident appeared to be an act of provocation and an attempt to create discord through statements.

Second Major Terrorist Attack in Russia This Year

The recent attack in Dagestan marks the second major terrorist incident in Russia this year. Earlier, in March, a terrorist attack claimed 143 lives, with ISIS-K taking responsibility. However, Russia accused Ukraine of being complicit in that attack. This attack came just five days after Vladimir Putin was re-elected as Russia’s president for the fifth time on March 18.

According to a BBC report, experts attributed the March attack to ISIS-K, the Khorasan branch of ISIS. The name ISIS-K refers to the region encompassing northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan. The organization first became active in eastern Afghanistan in 2014, attracting many Russian terrorist groups’ members who traveled to Syria to join their ranks.

ISIS-K opposes Putin and his propaganda, accusing his government of oppressing Muslims through military actions in Chechnya and Syria. They draw parallels to the oppression faced by Muslims in Afghanistan during the Soviet era.