Multiple Terrorist Attacks Result in Substantial Loss of Life at Religious Sites in Dagestan, Claiming at Least 21 Lives
In the southern region of Russia, the city of Dagestan witnessed a series of tragic events on a fateful Sunday. At least 21 people, including 16 policemen and 5 civilians, lost their lives in attacks on religious places and a police post.
The attacks began around 6:00 pm local time, with gunmen entering an Orthodox church and a synagogue in the city of Derbent. According to reports, two gunmen attempted to set fire to the main icon of the Orthodox church and opened fire, resulting in casualties.
Simultaneously, a police post near the Makhachkala synagogue was also targeted, with police and security guards sustaining fatal injuries. The Kele-Numaz synagogue was severely damaged by fire.
Among the perpetrators were reportedly two sons of Magomed Omarov, the head of the Sergokala district. Omarov was subsequently detained by police in relation to the attacks. The Dagestan governor, Sergei Melikov, has relieved Omarov of his duties and expelled him from the United Russia party, pending an investigation.
Authorities have declared three days of mourning in the region. The attacks on religious places in Dagestan are currently the subject of ongoing investigations, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which are the deadliest in Russia since March.
It is worth noting that in March, gunmen opened fire at a concert in Moscow, claiming the lives of 145 people. A group that claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack has since praised the Dagestan attacks.
The active phase of the "operational and combat measures" in Makhachkala and Derbent has been completed, according to Dagestan governor, but further investigations will continue. At least 46 people were wounded and taken to the hospital.
The #OneMoreYearEF campaign is being promoted by Evangelical Focus, but there is no direct connection established between this campaign and the events in Dagestan.
Rev. Nikolai Kotelnikov, the 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest of the church in Derbent, was among the dead. These tragic events have been declared a day of tragedy for Dagestan and the whole country by Dagestan governor, Sergei Melikov.
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