🚨 Gunmen Kill Three Police Officers in Southern Russia’s Dagestan Region – May 5, 2025
A deadly shooting attack in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Dagestan, left three police officers dead and at least four others injured, according to regional authorities. The broad-daylight ambush has triggered a criminal investigation and a sweeping manhunt.
🔫 Details of the Attack
- The incident occurred around 14:20 local time (11:20 GMT) on Monday, when police attempted to stop a car, said Dagestan’s leader Sergei Melikov.
- As officers approached the vehicle, gunmen opened fire, unleashing a deadly assault on traffic police.
- Two attackers were killed at the scene, both reportedly born in 2000. Officials have not confirmed how many were involved in total.
- According to state media, additional suspects escaped in a vehicle, prompting a large-scale search operation.
📹 Aftermath and Response
- Verified footage, shared via Telegram and confirmed by Reuters, showed bodies lying beside a police vehicle as gunfire continued in the background.
- Among the injured were police officers, civilians, and a 17-year-old girl, who was hospitalized along with others. One later died from injuries.
- Authorities have launched a criminal case, and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) is expected to lead the investigation.
📍 Background on Dagestan’s Volatile Security Climate
- Dagestan, a Muslim-majority republic on the Caspian Sea, has been a frequent site of armed violence, often tied to extremist groups.
- In March 2025, Russian forces killed four alleged ISIL (ISIS) fighters planning an attack on the Interior Ministry in the region.
- A June 2024 attack on churches, a synagogue, and police checkpoints claimed at least 20 lives in Dagestan.
- The region remains under tight surveillance, as ISIL-affiliated groups like ISKP (Khorasan Province) continue to threaten Russia and neighboring states.
🌍 Broader Terrorism Concerns
- The attack adds to a troubling pattern of resurgent extremist violence in Russia, following the March 2024 Crocus City Hall massacre, which killed at least 133 people.
- Although ISKP claimed responsibility, Russia blamed Ukraine without providing evidence, raising questions about the politicization of security threats.
- Despite ISIL’s territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria by 2019, the group’s offshoots remain active, particularly across Central Asia and Europe.
📢 Conclusion
The killing of three police officers in Dagestan has sparked renewed fears of terrorism in southern Russia. With suspects still at large and extremist threats lingering, security forces are bracing for further violence in a region long plagued by instability
