Priest and policeman killed in attacks on synagogue and church in Russian Dagestan

CNN
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A priest and a policeman were killed when men armed with automatic weapons attacked a synagogue and a church in the city of Derbent in Russia’s southernmost province of Dagestan on Sunday evening.

According to the chairman of the Dagestan Commission for Public Monitoring, Shamil Chadulaev, a priest was killed in the attack on the church.

“According to the information I received, Father Nikolay was killed in the church in Derbent, they cut his throat. He was 66 years old and very sick,” Khadulaev said.

He also said that a church security guard, armed only with a pistol, had been shot. Other priests had locked themselves in the church and were waiting for help, Khadulaev said.

Meanwhile, the synagogue is ablaze; large flames and thick clouds of smoke are coming out of several windows on at least one floor of the building.

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At least one policeman was killed and another injured in the attacks, according to preliminary reports from the duty officer of the Dagestan Interior Ministry.

Officials say they are working to determine the exact number of casualties.

There is also no information yet about the status of the perpetrators.

In an apparently coordinated attack that took place around the same time, a police traffic station in Makhachkala, Dagestan, also came under fire.

According to the Interior Ministry, at least one police officer was injured in the attack in Makhachkala.

Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, has published a message on Telegram stating that “unknown persons tried to destabilize the social situation. Dagestani police officers stood in their way. According to preliminary information, there are victims among them.”

Melikov said the identities of the attackers were being investigated, an operational headquarters had been set up and a plan for Operation Interception was being drawn up.

He called on the public to remain calm, saying: “They expected panic and fear… They will not tolerate this from the people of Dagestani!”

This story is constantly evolving. More information to come.