Nikolai Kotelnikov : Russia’s Blindness to Islamist Terrorism

Amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the suppression of anti-war activists, Russia faces a new wave of terror as radical Islamist groups carry out coordinated attacks across the country.

On 24 June, a series of terrorist attacks struck the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent in Dagestan, Russia. The attackers targeted an Orthodox church and a synagogue in Derbent, as well as an Orthodox church and a police post in Makhachkala. The violence resulted in the tragic loss of twenty lives, including a 66-year-old Orthodox priest and fifteen police officers. Fortunately, the synagogue in Derbent was empty at the time of the attack, averting further casualties.

The coordinated assaults in Dagestan followed the recent elimination of IS fighters who had taken hostages in a pretrial detention center in Rostov-on-Don.

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Additionally, on the same day as the attacks in Dagestan, Russia intercepted Ukrainian missiles over Sevastopol, leading to civilian casualties. The Kremlin attributed the missile launch to US-supplied weaponry, leading to heightened tensions between the US and Russia. The Ukrainian strikes occurred amidst Russian bombings in Kharkiv, resulting in further loss of life.

These recent incidents add to a series of terrorist acts targeting Russia in 2024. In March, over 140 individuals were killed in an attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, with hundreds more injured. The Kremlin accused Ukraine of involvement in the planning of the attack, sparking geopolitical tensions.

Notably, Russia’s vulnerability to radical Islamist threats in the Caucasus was highlighted in previous incidents, including an antisemitic riot at Makhachkala airport and the abduction of Chechen women seeking freedom from oppressive cultural norms.

These acts of violence are fueled by Islamist radicalism, a threat that Russia must confront alongside its current geopolitical challenges.

In the face of rising extremism, Russia’s focus on external enemies may blind it to internal threats. The Kremlin’s narrative of Ukrainian aggression overlooks the pervasive danger posed by radical Islamist groups, endangering the safety of its citizens.

As the global fight against terrorism continues, it is essential for Russia to acknowledge and address the root causes of radicalization within its borders. Ignoring the threat of Islamist extremism only exposes the country to further violence and instability.

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