Coordinated Terrorist Attacks in Dagestan Leave 20 Dead
On June 23, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks struck the Russian republic of Dagestan, resulting in the deaths of 20 people, including 15 police officers and four civilians. The attacks targeted multiple places of worship and a traffic police checkpoint in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala. The violence has been attributed to the Wilayat Kavkaz group, the North Caucasus branch of the Islamic State.
The head of the republic, Sergei Melikov, confirmed that the families of the victims will receive financial assistance, with 1 million rubles allocated to each family from a charitable foundation. Additionally, 46 victims will be provided with material assistance of up to 500 thousand rubles.
Details of the Attacks
The attacks began in Derbent, where militants armed with machine guns stormed the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin during a service. The rector, Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, was among the first victims, killed in front of his wife. The militants also set fire to a lectern in the church before fleeing. In Makhachkala, the Holy Assumption Cathedral was attacked, resulting in the death of a security guard who was attempting to close the doors to protect the congregation.
Two synagogues were also targeted. In Derbent, the attackers used Molotov cocktails to set fire to the synagogue, destroying Torah scrolls. Fortunately, there were no large crowds in the synagogues at the time, preventing further casualties.
The coordinated nature of the attacks suggests a high level of planning and preparation. Law enforcement agencies have launched a criminal investigation under terrorism charges. Six militants were neutralized during the counter-terrorism operation, which concluded on June 24.
The attacks have intensified ethnic and religious tensions in the region, which is home to more than 30 ethnic groups and has a history of insurgency and violence. The recent upsurge in violence is partly attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Russia's military involvement in Ukraine.
Dagestan has declared three days of mourning for the victims. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee emphasized that efforts will continue to identify and apprehend any accomplices and members of radical sleeper cells.
- The resurgence of ethnic tensions in Dagestan is exacerbated by Russia’s need to fill its military ranks amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ethnic minorities, including those in Dagestan, have been disproportionately mobilized, leading to protests and further unrest.
- The attacks in Dagestan follow a similar terrorist incident in March, where over 130 people were killed in a concert hall near Moscow, claimed by ISIS-K. These incidents raise questions about the effectiveness of Russian President Vladimir Putin's promise of security and stability.
- The international implications of these attacks are significant, as Russia maintains complex relationships in the Middle East. The recent violence underscores the delicate balance Putin must maintain while navigating alliances and conflicts in the region.
