Armed Militants Kill Priest and Police in Attacks on Churches and Synagogue in Dagestan

 

Armed militants launched a series of attacks in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan, resulting in the deaths of a priest and six police officers. The incidents occurred at two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post.

According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the assailants targeted a synagogue and a church in the city of Derbent, located on the Caspian Sea. The attackers fled the scene, prompting a search operation by authorities. Two militants were reportedly "eliminated" during the pursuit.

Simultaneously, a traffic police post in the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala, was also attacked. Six policemen lost their lives, and 12 others were injured in this separate incident.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, some officials in Dagestan have pointed fingers at Ukraine and NATO. However, Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the situation.

President Ramzan Kadyrov of neighboring Chechnya condemned the violence, describing it as a "vile provocation" aimed at sowing discord between religious communities.

The situation remains tense, and authorities are investigating the motives behind these tragic events.