Mourning and Turmoil: Dagestan Under Siege

Dagestan mourns following attacks by Islamic militants that left 20 dead and many injured. Authorities link the coordinated assaults on religious sites and police to Islamic State affiliates. The violence challenges Russia's claims of ethnic and religious harmony.

Dagestan entered a period of mourning on Monday after a series of coordinated assaults by Islamic militants resulted in 20 fatalities, most of which were police officers. The attack, spanning two major cities, has been linked to Islamic State affiliates.

Sunday’s violence, which occurred in Makhachkala and Derbent, marked the deadliest series of incidents in Russia since March. The attacks have been attributed to Islamic extremists operating in Dagestan, part of Russia's predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region.

The rev. Nikolai Kotelnikov, a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest, was among the victims, killed as his church in Derbent was set on fire.