Terror in Russia: Gunmen open fire at synagogue and Orthodox churches killing 15 police officers
23 June 2024, 21:19 | Updated: 24 June 2024, 06:17
Gunmen in Russia have opened fire on a synagogue, an Orthodox church and a police post as part of a series of synchronised attacks across the south of the country.
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It's understood five attackers - who were targeting places of worship - were shot and killed by authorities.
According to local media, the attacks, which are thought to be terror related, took place at a synagogue and an Orthodox church in Derbent, followed by an attack at a police post in Makhachkala.
15 police officers and the priest are reported to have died in the attacks, with the attackers reported to have slit the throat of a respected priest.
Local news agencies said gunfire had been exchanged in the centre of Makhachkala, a region of coastline on the Caspian Sea.
The gunmen attacked a synagogue, which was set alight, in the regional capital Makhachkala - a Jewish hub that sits at the centre of a predominantly Muslim region.
Smoke could be seen bellowing from the religious building, while another was set on fire around 80 miles away, in Russia's southernmost city.
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According to Russian state media, the attackers also shot at two nearby Orthodox churches.
The church attacks are thought to have killed a police officer and a priest.
The priest, who has been named locally as 66-year-old Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, had served in Derbent for more than 40 years.
🚨 Developing : Terror is shaking Dagestan !
— Athr Press (@Athr0Press) June 23, 2024
⚠️40 hostages are held inside a church in Makhachkala as security forces confront assilants amidst heavy gunfire !
🚨Derbent Mayor confirmed that law enforcement are on high alert after the attack on an Orthodox church & synagogue. pic.twitter.com/MFUDJ2h4Fy
As part of the attack, the as yet unknown individuals are said to have opened fire at the religious sites, as well as a police station, across the tinderbox region of Dagestan.
The region borders the neighbouring nations of Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The site in Derbent is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Interior Ministry has been quoted as saying that both the synagogue and church were set ablaze by the gunment.
