Attack on Police, Churches, Synagogue Leaves 19 Dead in Russia’s Dagestan

At least 19 were killed in attacks on police posts, churches, and a synagogue in the Russian Republic of Dagestan on Sunday.

The Details: In what appeared to be a coordinated attack, 15 police officers and four civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were murdered. Head of Dagestan Sergei Melikov said at least six “militants” were also killed. The attackers have not been officially identified, but per BBC News (Center bias), Russian media have widely reported that among them were two sons of a local politician. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no worshipers were present “in the synagogues at the time of the attack.”

For Context: Dagestan is a majority-Muslim Republic and has a history of separatist violence. In March, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a concert in Moscow that killed 145. Also in March, Russia thwarted an alleged Islamic State attack on a synagogue in Moscow.

Key Quotes: Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said, "These tragic events, I am sure, were orchestrated from abroad and are aimed at sowing panic and dividing the Russian people.” Close Putin ally and government official Dmitry Rogozin, however, warned that if every attack is blamed on “the machinations of Ukraine and NATO, this pink mist will lead us to big problems.”

How The Media Covered It: Western media largely relied on reports coming out of Russia, and highlighted that key Russian officials including President Putin linked the terrorists behind the March attack in Moscow to Ukraine.