Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan has been rocked by a series of deadly attacks, as gunmen opened fire at synagogues, Orthodox churches, and a police post, leaving multiple casualties in their wake.
**Paragraph 1:** On Sunday, violence erupted in the North Caucasus region of Dagestan, Russian Federation, as gunmen launched a coordinated attack on religious institutions and a police post. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has initiated a terrorism investigation into the "armed attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, as a result of which police officers and civilians were killed and injured."
**Paragraph 2:** The attacks targeted two synagogues, two Orthodox churches, and a police post. Videos circulating online depict intense shootouts and buildings engulfed in flames. Russian Interior Ministry sources confirm the deaths of at least two police officers, while at least six others were wounded.
Gunmen Unleash Terror in Russia: Synagogues, Churches, and Police Post Targeted
**Paragraph 3:** Authorities in Dagestan reported that a 66-year-old priest was found with his throat slashed at an Orthodox church in Derbent. One police officer was reportedly killed in Derbent after shots were fired at a synagogue. Another shootout occurred at a police post in Makhachkala.
**Paragraph 4:** Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming the attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent. The statement revealed that the synagogue in Derbent was set ablaze and burned to the ground, resulting in the deaths of local guards. The synagogue in Makhachkala faced gunfire, but no further information was available.
Gunmen Unleash Terror in Russia: Synagogues, Churches, and Police Post Targeted
**Paragraph 5:** The embassy of Israel in Moscow is in contact with Jewish community leaders in the region. According to the statement, there were no worshippers present at either synagogue during the attacks. No casualties have been reported among the Jewish community at this time.
**Paragraph 6:** The attacks have not yet been attributed to a specific group, but they have raised concerns about the rise of Islamic militants in the region, particularly the ISIS-K group. FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously warned of heightened terror threats following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Gunmen Unleash Terror in Russia: Synagogues, Churches, and Police Post Targeted
**Paragraph 7:** The attacks occurred on the same day that U.S. second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building at the site of Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue. The original synagogue was the site of a deadly anti-Semitic attack in 2018 that claimed the lives of 11 Jewish worshippers.
**Paragraph 8:** The recent attacks in Russia have sent shockwaves through the international community. They serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism and the importance of vigilance and cooperation to combat this scourge.
Gunmen Unleash Terror in Russia: Synagogues, Churches, and Police Post Targeted
**Paragraph 9:** The Russian government has condemned the attacks and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. President Vladimir Putin has appointed Sergei Melikov as the head of Dagestan, tasking him with maintaining stability and preventing further violence.
**Paragraph 10:** The investigation into the attacks is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motives and identities of the attackers. The region remains on high alert, with security measures being heightened to prevent any further incidents.
Gunmen Unleash Terror in Russia: Synagogues, Churches, and Police Post Targeted
