On June 23, the branch of the “Islamic State” (IS) in the North Caucasus “Caucasus Province” likely carried out a complex and coordinated attack against churches, synagogues and law enforcement structures in the Republic of Dagestan.
At the same time, Ukraine launched a massive strike on Russian military sites in occupied Crimea, according to the daily analysis of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Dagestan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said that unknown persons opened fire on a Russian Orthodox church and synagogue in Derbent around 6:00 p.m. local time, and then said that within the same hour, another group of unknown persons were opened fire at a traffic police post in Makhachkala (120 km north of Derbent).
A fire was also reported at a synagogue in Makhachkala, although Russian official sources did not confirm a second attack on a synagogue.
After the attacks began, Dagestan declared an anti-terrorist regime, and Russian law enforcement agencies killed five of the attackers and wounded six.
Features on social media showed Russian law enforcement authorities detaining two suspects on a public beach in Makhachkala after they appeared to have fled the scene of the shooting.
Russian media reported that seven law enforcement officers, a priest and a church guard were killed in the attacks and 25 others were injured.
The Baza Telegram channel claims that two of the attackers from Makhachkala, identified as Osman and Adil Omarov, whom Russian law enforcement agencies have killed, are the sons of Sergokalinsky district chief Magomed Omarov.
“Interfax” confirmed that Magomed Omarov was arrested and interrogated after the attack.
On June 23, the Russian branch of the Islamic State – Caucasus “Al-Azaim Media” issued a statement after the attack in which he praised his “brothers from the Caucasus” for showing what they are capable of.
In particular, “Al-Azaim” does not claim credit for the attack itself, and the mention of the Caucasus suggests that the “Vilayat Kavkaz” was responsible for the attack.
The regional anti-terrorist structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) specifically warns that the “Caucasus Province” has become more active since the March 22 attack on the “Crocus City Hall” from April 2024
In addition, the Islamist cell has stepped up calls to recruit new members in the North Caucasus.
Moscow’s policy towards the local population only helps the activities of the extremists.
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out a short-range ATACMS strike against occupied Sevastopol on June 23.
Russian military bloggers have widely criticized the Russian Defense Ministry and the Russian occupation authorities in Crimea for failing to prevent the strike and adequately protect the Russian civilian population.
Russian occupation authorities have accused Ukraine of using Western cluster munitions in the attack on Sevastopol.
Ukrainian representatives retorted that there is still no permission from Western allies for the use of such munitions against Crimea.
The footage and photos show Russian forces deploying military equipment in civilian areas in Crimea since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian authorities irresponsibly promote Russian tourism in occupied Crimea during a war while the Russian military continues to use the occupied peninsula as a rear staging area.
The Russian military is likely purposefully deploying legitimate military targets near civilian areas in Crimea in an attempt to deter Ukrainian strikes. Russian forces have been recorded using the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and schools in occupied mainland Ukraine to hide Russian military equipment.
Russia is likely violating its own provisions implementing international humanitarian law, which state that “military command should avoid locating military targets in or near densely populated areas.
Ukrainian forces struck a command post of a Russian motorized rifle regiment in Nekhoteevka, Belgorod Region.
Recent drone footage of a Russian soldier executing a wounded colleague illustrates the culture of brutality that is widespread in the Russian armed forces.
South Korea has taken a hardline approach to Russia following recent heightened Russian-North Korean cooperation, suggesting that Russia’s efforts to threaten Seoul into cutting off aid to Ukraine have backfired.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained two former high-ranking employees of the Wagner group-linked Patriot media holding ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Wagner rebellion.
Russian forces recently captured Shumi and advanced near the city of Donetsk and Robotyne.
On June 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law officially transferring the Kazakh Cadet Corps and the Russian Sea Cadet Corps under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
