Coordinated attacks in Russia leave 19 dead

In Russia’s Dagestan region, a series of coordinated attacks on Sunday left at least 19 people dead, including 15 police officers. The violence targeted a synagogue, police station and churches in Makhachkala and Derbent. 

Authorities reported that gunmen armed with automatic rifles carried out the assaults, claiming they were linked to an international terrorist group. Russian state media reported the attackers set fire to the historic Derbent synagogue—a UNESCO heritage site.

A manhunt ensued following the attacks, resulting in the deaths of six assailants in a police shootout.

Dagestan’s governor, Sergei Melikov, declared days of mourning and labeled the shootings as terrorism, vowing a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, Russian officials have pointed fingers at external forces for fostering instability within the country amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.