A sequence of video clips from security cameras, capturing the initial moments of a terrorist attack in Makhachkala, has surfaced online. One report from a Telegram channel described as a regional update for Dagestan notes that a vehicle carrying the attackers became trapped at a traffic signal. As soon as the occupants disembarked, gunfire was directed at a police vehicle, according to the broadcast.
In the released footage, vehicles caught in a congestion appear to accelerate and surge toward oncoming traffic once the assault began. The scenes depict rapid movements of cars and pedestrians as the threat unfolded on the streets.
On June 23, attacks were carried out in several locations in Derbent, Dagestan. Fire opened with machine guns targeted at the Church of the Intercession of Our Lady on Lenin Street and at the Kele-Numaz Synagogue on Tagi-Zade Street. Simultaneously, militants fired in Makhachkala. A traffic police station on Ermoshkin Street and a nearby synagogue encountered gunfire, while clashes erupted near the Holy Assumption Cathedral on Ordzhonikidze Street. Law enforcement authorities reported that five attackers were killed in the course of the operations, which appear to have involved coordinated actions across multiple sites.
As security forces engaged the gunmen in Dagestan, observers noted traditional regional dances and cultural demonstrations continuing nearby, illustrating the varied daily life that persists even amid violent incidents. The sequence of events highlights the complexity of urban security responses and the challenges of rapid threat assessment in populated city centers. According to official statements, police and security personnel carried out a rapid counterterrorism operation, with several suspects neutralized during confrontation in the affected districts, and ongoing investigations aimed at identifying accomplices and tracing the attackers’ origins are expected to yield further details, including potential connections between the sites of the assaults.
Initial analyses suggest the attackers attempted to exploit crowded urban environments to maximize disruption, taking advantage of the density of streets and institutions that serve as community anchors. Authorities emphasize the importance of immediate emergency response, coordination among security agencies, and rapid dissemination of verified information to prevent the spread of rumors in the wake of such incidents. Observers and residents are urged to follow official channels for updates and safety instructions, as investigators work to reconstruct the sequence of events and confirm the identities of those involved. In the broader context, security forces in the North Caucasus region have been focused on preventing similar attacks, with ongoing counterterrorism operations and community resilience efforts intended to deter future violence and protect civilian life. [Authorities]
Across regional communities, residents reflect on the unsettling nature of the assault while recognizing the decisive actions taken by law enforcement to restore order and begin the process of emergency response, recovery, and continuity of daily life. The incident underscores the persistent threat landscape in the area and the shared responsibility of citizens to stay informed through official updates and to cooperate with investigators as they piece together the events that unfolded that day.