Attack on Police, Churches, Synagogue Leaves 19 Dead in Russia’s Dagestan
Summary from the AllSides News Team
At least 19 were killed in attacks on police posts, churches, and a synagogue in the Russian Republic of Dagestan on Sunday.
The Details: In what appeared to be a coordinated attack, 15 police officers and four civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were murdered. Head of Dagestan Sergei Melikov said at least six “militants” were also killed. The attackers have not been officially identified, but per BBC News (Center bias), Russian media have widely reported that among them were two sons of a local politician. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no worshipers were present “in the synagogues at the time of the attack.”
For Context: Dagestan is a majority-Muslim Republic and has a history of separatist violence. In March, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a concert in Moscow that killed 145. Also in March, Russia thwarted an alleged Islamic State attack on a synagogue in Moscow.
Key Quotes: Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said, "These tragic events, I am sure, were orchestrated from abroad and are aimed at sowing panic and dividing the Russian people.” Close Putin ally and government official Dmitry Rogozin, however, warned that if every attack is blamed on “the machinations of Ukraine and NATO, this pink mist will lead us to big problems.”
How The Media Covered It: Western media largely relied on reports coming out of Russia, and highlighted that key Russian officials including President Putin linked the terrorists behind the March attack in Moscow to Ukraine.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Gunmen kill police, priest and civilians in attacks on places of worship in Russia’s Dagestan![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/ap24175708046709.jpg?itok=5BplmJxC)
Gunmen opened fire on places of worship in two cities of Russia’s southernmost Dagestan province on Sunday, killing at least 15 police officers and four civilians, including an Orthodox priest, in what appeared to be a coordinated attack.
Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic, said at least six “militants” were also killed following the attacks on churches, synagogues and police posts in the cities of Derbent and the regional capital Makhachkala, which are about 120 kilometers (75 miles) apart.
The attacks took place in the republic of Dagestan in...
From the Center
Nineteen dead in attacks on churches and synagogue in southern Russia![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
Attacks on police posts, churches and a synagogue in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left 19 police officers and several civilians dead. Six gunmen were also killed.
At least sixteen people were taken to hospitals with injuries.
Three days of mourning have been declared in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic in southern Russia which neighbours Chechnya.
The apparently coordinated attacks targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost, with an Orthodox priest among those killed.
From the Right
Russia opens terror probe after attacks on synagogues, Orthodox churches; priest and police officers killed![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/fires-at-russia-attack-scenes.png?itok=OyvnYe_O)
Gunmen opened fire on two synagogues, two Orthodox churches and a police post in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday.
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a terrorism investigation in response to the "armed attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, as a result of which police officers and civilians were killed and injured," according to the agency’s Telegram page.
Shamil Khadulaev, chairman of the Public Monitoring Commission of Dagestan, said a 66-year-old priest was found with his throat slashed at an Orthodox church, the state-sponsored TASS news agency reported.
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