The latest news coverage indicates that the terrorist attack in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, on the 23rd has resulted in 21 deaths and 44 injuries. Among the 21 victims, 17 were police officers, and among the 44 injured, 37 were police personnel.
At around 6 p.m. local time on June 23, in Derbent, the second-largest city in Dagestan, a group of armed men stormed into the Intercession of the Theotokos Orthodox Church on Lenin Street, where about 40 parishioners were observing the Trinity Sunday ceremony under the guidance of a priest. Almost simultaneously, another synagogue in the city was attacked, and in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, another Orthodox church and a traffic police checkpoint were assaulted. The armed attackers resisted fiercely and engaged in a prolonged firefight with the police.
A local security official disclosed to the official, TASS, that the terrorists had carefully planned the timing and locations of the attacks. The attacks were not coincidental. Firstly, June 23 marked Trinity Sunday, an important Orthodox Christian holiday. Secondly, the targeted cities were Derbent, a tourist city, and Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan. Dagestan is predominantly Muslim, while Derbent has a significant Jewish population.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov condemned the attackers, saying their actions exposed their despicable and cowardly nature. He noted that the terrorists, as usual, targeted defenseless worshippers and clergy and attempted to sow discord among different faiths.
The Dagestan Interior Ministry reported that in Makhachkala, law enforcement officers killed four armed militants involved in the attacks, three of whom were related. RIA Novosti reported that two of the killed militants in Makhachkala, Osman Omarov and Adil Omarov, were the sons of Magomed Omarov, the head of Sergokala district and a member of the United Russia party. The other slain attacker was identified as their cousin.
A source familiar with Dagestan’s leadership revealed that Magomed Omarov had been expelled from the party and relieved of his duties. Omarov had held his position since 2010.
As of now, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Russian law enforcement sources suggest that the attackers might be linked to international terrorist organizations. Following a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K) had claimed responsibility.
Law enforcement sources indicated that based on the actions, shouts, and appearance of the attackers, the terrorists belonged to an Islamic extremist group. The militants who attacked Derbent and Makhachkala used foreign weapons, including AR-15 rifles. These rifles, known for their high-velocity bullets and significant lethality, are commonly used in mass shootings.
The Local: Flow Flags at half-mast and Suspend All Entertainment
On the 24th local time, the current leader of the Republic of Dagestan, Melikov, declared the 24th, 25th, and 26th as days of mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and all entertainment activities will be suspended.
Terrorists slit the throat of a priest and then set the church on fire before fleeing in a white car. Following the attack, the current leader of the Republic of Dagestan, Melikov, stated: “These attackers aim to destabilize the situation in the republic. Their main goal is to spread panic, but Dagestan will not cater to them.” He urged the public to remain calm and promised financial assistance to the victims’ families. He also declared the 24th, 25th, and 26th as days of mourning, with flags flown at half-mast and all entertainment activities suspended. Dagestan is now under an anti-terrorism operation state.
Reports indicate that at least six terrorists were killed, two of whom were the sons of the district head of Sergokalinsky District in Dagestan, who is currently under investigation.
No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Russian Tourism Union has advised tourists to temporarily avoid traveling to Dagestan.
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