Two bloody attacks in Dagestan, in southern Russia, on Sunday ignited fears of extremist violence on the home front, as the Kremlin pours resources and bodies into its sprawling war in Ukraine.
Though little else is known about the attacks, they touched a nerve in a region long strained by separatist and ethnic tensions.
Groups of gunmen launched seemingly coordinated attacks on synagogues and Orthodox churches in two cities — Makhachkala, Dagestan’s capital, and Derbent — that are more than 70 miles apart.
Though Russian officials called the violence acts of terrorism, they did not blame the attacks on any specific people or groups.
No organization has claimed responsibility, and the motive remains unknown.
Locations:
Dagestan, Russia, Ukraine, Makhachkala, Dagestan’s