"As a result of the tragedy in Dagestan, two Orthodox Christians were killed, while the rest were Muslims." Dagestan's head, Sergei Melikov, commented on the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
Sergei Melikov told journalists that he feels empathy and regret not only for what happened in the republic, but also for how it happened.
"How could this happen in our republic, which we always talk about, and this has very serious grounds, that we live in an atmosphere of friendship between peoples, unity between faiths?" — the regional leader asked at a press conference.
Melikov sees the only explanation for the tragedy that occurred as the fact that terrorism “does not recognize nationalities, does not recognize any other postulates that guide humanity.”
According to Melikov, the people who organized the attacks on Orthodox and Jewish churches ultimately brought tragedy to Dagestan, in which two Orthodox Christians died, while the rest were Muslims.
Melikov confirmed the deaths of 20 people, five of whom were terrorists. Another 26 injured and wounded are currently in regional hospitals, five of whom are "in more serious condition than the others." The overwhelming majority of the dead and injured are law enforcement officers.
"Some armchair experts are trying to analyze why five bandits died, while 15 officers died. They're trying to blame it on poor professional training. Nothing of the sort. It's just that all the attacks were carried out sneakily, from behind a corner.", Melikhov noted.
The head of Dagestan promised to pay families 1 million rubles for each deceased, while victims could receive up to 500.
A senator from Dagestan promised additional assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured. Suleiman KerimovThe amounts have not yet been disclosed. He also offered funds for the restoration of religious institutions in Derbent.
The State Secretary of the Republic of Dagestan promised to help with the restoration of churches in Makhachkala (where the Orthodox Church suffered the most damage) Magomed-Sultan Magomedov.
It is not yet known how much money will be needed to repair the churches; damage assessments are ongoing.