21 People Shot Dead in Organized Attack by Muslim Terrorists
On June 23, 2024, the normally peaceful predominantly Muslim cities of Derbent and Makhachkala in Russia’s Dagestan region were shaken by a series of coordinated attacks. Armed Islamic militants targeted a synagogue, two Orthodox churches, and police posts, leading to at least 21 deaths, including 16 police officers and an Orthodox priest.
The violence began in Derbent, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural diversity. Gunmen attacked the Kele-Numaz synagogue, setting it ablaze. This synagogue holds significant cultural and historical value. Witnesses reported that the attackers also targeted two nearby Orthodox churches, resulting in the death of a police officer and a priest, Nikolai Kotelnikov, 66, who had served the community for over 40 years. Videos circulating on social media captured the intense gunfire and chaos as law enforcement responded to the unfolding crisis.
In Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, gunmen opened fire on a police post. This attack resulted in the death of another police officer and injuries to several others. The assailants in Makhachkala also attacked an Orthodox church, trying to set fire to its main icon and opening fire on the congregation.
The Russian Investigative Committee reported that all five attackers were killed during the assaults.
The attacks in Dagestan are the latest in a series of violent incidents in Russia, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s security measures. In March 2024, an attack at a concert hall near Moscow, claimed by the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province, resulted in 145 deaths. These events have sparked fears that Russia’s security agencies might be overstretched, especially with ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
The violence began in Derbent, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural diversity. Gunmen attacked the Kele-Numaz synagogue, setting it ablaze. This synagogue holds significant cultural and historical value. Witnesses reported that the attackers also targeted two nearby Orthodox churches, resulting in the death of a police officer and a priest, Nikolai Kotelnikov, 66, who had served the community for over 40 years. Videos circulating on social media captured the intense gunfire and chaos as law enforcement responded to the unfolding crisis.
In Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, gunmen opened fire on a police post. This attack resulted in the death of another police officer and injuries to several others. The assailants in Makhachkala also attacked an Orthodox church, trying to set fire to its main icon and opening fire on the congregation.
The Russian Investigative Committee reported that all five attackers were killed during the assaults.
The attacks in Dagestan are the latest in a series of violent incidents in Russia, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the country’s security measures. In March 2024, an attack at a concert hall near Moscow, claimed by the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province, resulted in 145 deaths. These events have sparked fears that Russia’s security agencies might be overstretched, especially with ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
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