Militants Attack Dagestan: Churches, Synagogue, Police Targeted

Armed militants attacked two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post in Dagestan, Russia, resulting in the deaths of a priest and six police officers. The attackers fled the scene. Dagestan officials accuse Ukraine and NATO of involvement, but no immediate claim of responsibility emerged.

In a tragic turn of events, armed militants launched a coordinated attack on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

The National Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed the deaths of a Russian Orthodox Church priest and six police officers in what they have termed 'terrorist' attacks.

Dagestan's Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the assailants opened fire at a synagogue and a church in the city of Derbent before fleeing the scene. Two militants were reportedly 'eliminated' amid the chaos.

Concurrently, an attack was reported at a traffic police post in Makhachkala, resulting in the deaths of six policemen and injuries to 12 others.

Shamil Khadulaev, deputy chairman of the public monitoring commission of Dagestan, confirmed the deaths of another priest and a church security guard.

No group has claimed responsibility, but some Dagestan officials pointed fingers at Ukraine and NATO.

'There is no doubt that these terrorist attacks are in one way or another connected with the intelligence services of Ukraine and NATO countries,' stated Dagestan lawmaker Abdulkhakim Gadzhiyev on Telegram.

Ukraine has yet to comment on the incident.

'What happened looks like a vile provocation and an attempt to cause discord between confessions,' said President Ramzan Kadyrov of neighboring Chechnya.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)