Russia: Gunmen kill police officers and priest

(AFP/Voz Media) Several armed men attacked a synagogue, two Orthodox churches and a police checkpoint this Sunday killing an orthodox priest, four civilians and 15 police officers in the Russian republic of Dagestan, in the Caucasus region, according to reports from the Anti-Terrorism Investigation Committee.

In a statement to the RIA Novosti news agency, it was detailed that attacks were reported in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, targeting two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a police checkpoint.

The attackers fled in a white Volkswagen Polo. The police are pursuing them. “Information about the incident is being verified,” a ministry spokesman said, adding that efforts are being made to identify the attackers, according to Russia’s oficial Tass agency. Hours later they announced the end of the police operation after having "neutralized the threat."