DEVELOPING: Two Terror Attacks In Russia’s Dagestan Region, One Targeting A Synagogue

A series of coordinated attacks on a synagogue and two churches in Russia’s Caucasus region of Dagestan has left a priest and multiple police officers dead, according to the National Antiterrorism Committee.

“This evening in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, armed attacks were carried out on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a police check-point,” the committee said in a statement to RIA Novosti news agency. “As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed.”

The attacks, which occurred in Dagestan’s largest city of Makhachkala and the coastal city of Derbent, have been classified as “acts of terror” by Russia’s Investigative Committee.

Six police officers were killed and another 12 wounded, according to Gayana Gariyeva, spokeswoman for Dagestan’s interior ministry. A 66-year-old priest was also killed in Derbent.

The leader of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, condemned the attacks on Telegram, saying: “This evening in Derbent and Makhachkala, unknown attackers made attempts to destabilize the situation in society. They were confronted by Dagestani police officers.”

The situation is still developing, with reports of ongoing firefighters between additional attackers and security forces.