According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Dagestan region, a coordinated attack took place on Sunday resulting in the death of at least nine individuals, including seven law enforcement officers. Gunmen armed with automatic weapons opened fire on a synagogue and an Orthodox church in two separate cities located miles apart.
According to Russian officials, the two attacks caused injuries to at least 25 people.
According to the Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee, multiple gunmen opened fire on a synagogue and an Orthodox church, and set both houses of worship on fire in Derbent, a city situated on the Caspian Sea. The attack took place around 6 p.m. local time and involved the use of automatic weapons.
Russian officials have reported a second attack in Makhchkala, located approximately 75 miles away from the initial attack on the Caspian Sea.
Officials report that a gun battle between the suspects and police is currently taking place in Makhachkala on Sunday night.
According to Russian officials, witnesses reported seeing a Volkswagen Polo used by the suspects in the Derbent attack as they fled the scene.
According to a report from the state-owned TASS news agency, traffic police in Makhachkala were fired upon by unknown gunmen on one street, while a police car was set ablaze on another street.
In a statement, Sergei Melikov, a leader of the Dagestan region in Russia, announced the establishment of an operational headquarters in response to the attacks.
In a statement, Melikov reported that there were attempts to disrupt the social situation in Derbent and Makhachkala by unknown individuals earlier this evening. However, the Dagestan police officers successfully thwarted their efforts, though there have been reports of casualties among them.
Melikov urged the residents of Dagestan to maintain their composure and stay calm.
