Gunmen opened fire at a synagogue, two Orthodox churches, and a police post in two cities in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan, resulting in the deaths of six policemen and injuries to 12 individuals. The attacks took place in Derbent and Makhachkala, with the first gunshots reported around 7 p.m. Moscow time. Russian state media TASS reported that four gunmen were shot dead as the incidents unfolded, with a priest in Derbent and a church security guard in Makhachkala also being killed. Street fights were reported in Makhachkala, the administrative town in Dagestan.
The synagogue and a church in Derbent are notable landmarks, with the synagogue housing an ancient Jewish community and the church being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Both structures were said to be ablaze, according to the Interior Ministry. Authorities in Dagestan pledged to bring those responsible to justice and are actively searching for suspects who reportedly fled in a white Volkswagen. The situation in the region remains tense, with reports of a potential police raid on a building where gunmen may be holed up.
In Israel, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that the synagogue in Derbent had been burned to the ground, and shots were fired at a second synagogue in Makhachkala. Thankfully, there were no worshippers present at the time of the attacks. Russian authorities have previously linked similar incidents in the region to militant Muslim elements. Last October, during the war in Gaza, rioters in Makhachkala airport wielding Palestinian flags targeted Jewish passengers arriving from Tel Aviv.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West and Ukraine of instigating unrest within Russia in connection with the incident. The attacks on the synagogue, churches, and police post in Dagestan have raised concerns about security and religious tensions in the region. The violence underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing extremism and preventing further attacks. The international community, including Israel, has condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. It remains to be seen how Russian authorities will respond to the situation and address the root causes of the violence in Dagestan.
