Gunmen Target Synagogues and Churches in Southern Russia, Killing Police Officers and a Priest
A coordinated attack on places of worship in southern Russia on Sunday left multiple police officers and a priest dead, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to extremist violence. The attacks, which targeted synagogues and churches in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent, in the predominantly Muslim region of Dagestan, were carried out by gunmen wielding rifles and Molotov cocktails. While authorities have confirmed that six of the attackers were killed during shootouts, the precise death toll remains unclear.
Key Takeaways:
- A coordinated attack: The simultaneous assaults on religious institutions in two cities suggest a deliberate and well-planned operation.
- High casualties: The attacks resulted in the deaths of multiple police officers and a priest, highlighting the attackers’ brutality.
- Motives remain unclear: Despite the violence, the motives behind the attacks and the identities of the perpetrators remain shrouded in mystery, raising concerns about potential extremist activity within Russia.
- Religious tensions: The attacks come amidst a backdrop of rising ethnic and religious tensions in Russia, particularly in the southern Caucasus region, prompting calls for unity and peace.
- The West is blamed: Some Russian politicians have, without evidence, attributed the attacks to Western influence, further escalating tensions and fostering a sense of suspicion.
A Day of Violence
The attack began on Sunday evening when gunmen opened fire on a traffic police post in Makhachkala, followed by assaults on the city’s Cathedral of the Assumption and a synagogue. Simultaneously, in Derbent, attackers set fire to a synagogue after killing the officers guarding it. They also killed a priest, Nikolai Kotelnikov, marking him as the only confirmed civilian victim of the attack.
Videos released by Dagestan’s interior ministry showed the attackers’ brazen actions, including them firing upon vehicles and forcing drivers out of their cars. While authorities declared the "active phase" of the police response over, uncertainties remain about the number of attackers still at large.
Religious and Ethnic Tensions
The attack has highlighted the deep-rooted religious and ethnic tensions in Russia, particularly in the Caucasus region, where Dagestan is located. This region has historically been a hotbed of conflict and unrest, with a diverse population grappling with issues of identity and belonging.
The timing of the attack, coinciding with the Orthodox Christian observance of Pentecost, is noteworthy. Patriarch Kirill I, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, interpreted the attack as an attempt to disrupt interreligious harmony within Russia. He stated, “We see that the enemy is not giving up on attempts to destroy interreligious peace and harmony within our society.” However, the identity of this “enemy” remains unclear, with neither the Kremlin nor authorities offering details about the attackers.
A Pattern of Violence?
The attacks in Dagestan are not isolated incidents. In March, four gunmen killed 145 people at a Moscow concert hall in an attack claimed by the Islamic State. The attack in Dagestan follows a similar pattern of targeting religious institutions and security forces, raising concerns about the potential spread of extremist ideologies within Russia.
While the motives behind the latest attack remain unclear, some Russian politicians, including Leonid Slutsky, a senior lawmaker, have pointed fingers at the West without any evidence. Slutsky claimed that the attacks aimed to “sow panic and divide the people of Russia,” further escalating tensions and creating an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust.
Impact on the Jewish Community
The attacks have also deeply affected Russia’s Jewish community, which has faced increasing threats since the start of the war in Gaza. Following the Moscow concert hall attack, Russian officials, without proof, accused the West of orchestrating the violence, despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility.
Similarly, in the aftermath of the Dagestan attacks, some have sought to blame the West despite the lack of evidence. This pattern of blaming external forces for domestic violence fuels a sense of insecurity and vulnerability within the Jewish community.
A Call for Unity and Peace
In response to the attacks, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has expressed concern and communicated with Jewish community leaders in Dagestan. While no known Jewish casualties have been reported, the attacks highlight the fragility of religious freedom and inter-ethnic harmony in Russia.
The attacks in Dagestan underscore the complexities of extremism in Russia and its impact on the country’s social fabric. While authorities investigate the events and seek to identify those responsible, they must also address the underlying causes of extremism and violence, promoting dialogue and understanding amongst diverse communities.
