A regional leader from Pyatigorsk urged authorities to impose strict penalties on people who danced lezginka amid the Dagestan violence, a message circulating on Telegram reported. The post attributed the remark to Dmitry Voroshilov, the head of the resort city, and summarized his view that such displays of public cheer should be treated with serious consequence.
According to the Telegram post, on the day of the deadly events a group of able-bodied men gathered in the city center and appeared to celebrate. The post quoted him asking what had driven their happiness, noting that police detained the individuals, compelled them to give apologies on camera, and suggested potential administrative penalties. Voroshilov allegedly urged law enforcement to consider criminal charges as well, arguing that permissiveness and disorder in public life must be met with clear outcomes.
Separately, reports from Derbent in Dagestan described an attack in the early hours of June 23. Gunfire targeted the Church of the Intercession of Our Lady on Lenin Street and the Kele-Numaz Synagogue on Tagi-Zade Street. There were also reports of gunfire in Makhachkala, including a traffic police station on Ermoshkin Street and a nearby synagogue. Clashes were described near the Holy Assumption Cathedral on Ordzhonikidze Street, with injuries and damage documented in several accounts. The Investigative Committee stated that injuries were life-threatening and that the incident involved both attackers and victims, including a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church alongside security personnel. Five militants were reported killed in connection with these events.
On the same day, updates from Sevastopol indicated that Ukrainian armed forces conducted strikes using ATACMS missiles equipped with cluster munitions. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defenses repelled several missiles, with one shell exploding in the air over the city. The local hospital was caring for a number of patients, and some of the injured were expected to be transferred to facilities in Moscow for further treatment. These developments were reported in official briefings and summarized by news agencies following statements from authorities. Attribution from official defense and investigative bodies and subsequent media reports followed the narrative.
There was also discussion about whether the Kremlin and the Russian leadership would address the broader questions raised by the Dagestan events. Observers noted the role of national security messaging and potential appeals to the public from the presidency regarding the attacks. Analysts and commentators emphasized the importance of keeping public calm while pursuing law enforcement and counterterrorism measures, and they highlighted how statements from regional leaders might influence perceptions of accountability and safety. Attribution from government statements and political analysis followed these assessments.
In sum, the Dagestan incidents, including the alleged celebratory behavior seen in some quarters and the violent attacks on religious and public sites, prompted a range of responses—from calls for accountability and criminal charges to official briefings on the security situation. The situation remained under rapid development as authorities investigated motives, identified suspects, and coordinated with regional and federal agencies to assess the impact on civilian safety and social stability. Analysts cautioned that public messaging needed to balance firmness in confronting violence with measures to prevent further polarization and fear. Attribution from investigative summaries and policy commentary provided context for ongoing discussions.