Coordinated simultaneous terrorist attacks on police posts, churches, and a synagogue in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Dagestan left many people dead. Ukraine, the United States & West rank among the top suspects although no official statement has been released by Moscow.
According to official reports, 19 police officers and several civilians including an Orthodox priest by the name of Father Nikolai Kotelnikov were among those killed in the attacks which happened at the same time in the mainly Muslim republic in southern Russia which neighbours Chechnya. Six of the gunmen were also killed and about 16 people were injured and taken to the hospital.
Videos of the attacks show the bearded terrorists who did not bother to hide their faces behind a mask, brazenly shooting in public. The attack occurred in Derbent and Makhachkala which were celebrating the Orthodox festival of Pentecost.
A synagogue and a church in Derbent were also set on fire. Footages online showed flames coming out of the building, which is listed as a Unesco heritage site
Videos below:
Though the terrorists are yet to be caught, according to Russian authorities, two sons of the head of the Sergokalinsky district near Makhachkala, Magomed Omarov, Osman and Adil. Mr Omarov has been arrested by the police.
Ukraine was also fingered to be behind the attacks. “We understand who is behind the organization of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued,” the republic’s head, Sergei Melikov said.
Leonid Slutsky, the head of Duma’s international affairs committee also accused Ukraine of being involved in the attacks. “These tragic events, I am sure, were orchestrated from abroad and are aimed at sowing panic and dividing the Russian people,” he said.
According to Russian news agencies on Monday morning, the State’s counter-terrorism operation which was launched after the attacks is now over. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin also offered his condolences to those affected by the attacks on Crimea and Dagestan.
Russia’s investigative committee classified the shooting as a terrorist attack and has opened an investigation. This is coming after an attack at a concert hall in Moscow left 139 people dead. Though the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, sentiments in Russia believe it was from Ukraine.