Investigators have arrived at the scene of the shooting in the Russian city of Makhachkala to establish the circumstances of the incident, according to authorities (video from social media)

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Ukraine's ATACMS were targeted to pass over crowded place, coordinated by US drone

💬 "Fallen cluster munitions hit the beach. There is a high density of people there, hence there are so many victims," Nikolai Kostikin, an expert from the Moscow-based Bureau of Military-Political Analysis think tank, told Sputnik. "The [missiles'] route was set to pass over crowded places. There have already been similar examples."

The Ukrainian military attacked the Russian port city of Sevastopol, Crimea, on June 23 with five US-made ATACMS missiles armed with cluster submunitions. Four missiles were shot down; one deviated and exploded over the city killing at least five and injuring 124, including 27 children, according to the Russian Health Ministry.

💬 “A political task here is a show of force and the West’s readiness to support Ukraine. And the death of civilians fits into this plan as a way to intimidate [Russia]," Alexey Sukonkin, a Russian military observer, told Sputnik.

At the moment when ATACMS were launched at Sevastopol a US RQ-4 Global Hawk long-range surveillance drone was detected over the Black Sea, according to military correspondent Aleksey Borzenko. It was earlier reported that Ukraine is pairing the 300-kilometer range variant of ATACMS with drone systems to coordinate missile strikes on Russia.

"This drone was practically used to direct the missiles that were going to Crimea," Borzenko told Sputnik. "I believe that it is necessary to create a large unmanned zone in the Black Sea – between 100 and 300 miles – in the aftermath of the tragedy. These Global Hawks should not be allowed to get to the distance from which they could direct ATACMS missiles."

The US is responsible for the missile strike on Sevastopol's civilians, as all targeting data for ATACMS missiles are provided by US specialists, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

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The head of the Russian Republic of Dagestan, Sergey Melikov, on the attacks in Russia's Derbent and Makhachkala:

◻️ An operational headquarters has been established in Dagestan following the emergency situation involving gunfire in Derbent and Makhachkala

◻️ Melikov noted that unknown individuals attempted to destabilize the public situation.

◻️ The head of Dagestan called on everyone to remain calm and promised to provide detailed information about the emergency situation later.

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❗️A priest in a church in Derbent and a church guard in Makhachkala have been killed, reported Hadulaev, deputy chairman of the public oversight commission of Dagestan.

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⚡️Armed attacks have been carried out on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a police post in Russia’s Derbent and Makhachkala, the National Antiterrorism Committee stated.

As a result of the terrorist acts in Dagestan, preliminary data indicate that a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers have been killed.

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❗️A shootout took place on the border between Abkhazia and Russia, resulting in casualties and injuries among all participants who are citizens of Abkhazia, the head of the republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs told to Sputnik.

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⚡️Footage of the arrest on "Beryozka" beach, allegedly showing two militants involved in the attack in Russia's Makhachkala, with people panicking and fleeing from the Caspian Sea coast. (video from social media)

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❗️Criminal cases have been initiated under the article on terrorism in connection with armed attacks in Russia's Derbent and Makhachkala, the Investigative Committee reported.

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Upgraded Russia–North Korea strategic partnership sends West ‘strong challenge’

Russia's newly-signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with North Korea should be seen as "a strong signal to the West," the Associated Press warned.

Dissecting the agreement’s clause on military aid between the two countries, it stated that it “marked the strongest link between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War."

In NATO’s proxy conflict over Ukraine, Russia is prepared to “challenge Western interests like never before,” stated the publication.

It acknowledged that Moscow "has nothing to lose," and is prepared to go “to the end” to achieve its goals in Ukraine.

Article 4 of the DPRK-Russia Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership states: "If one of the Parties is subjected to an armed attack by any state or several states and thus finds itself in a state of war, the other Party will immediately provide military and other assistance with all means at its disposal.”

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Two terrorists were allegedly killed in the Russian Makhachkala

Their bodies are lying right on the street.

Clashes in the city continue.

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Sevastopol picked for Ukraine terror attack because it is core of anti-Nazi resistance – expert

💬 "The ballistic missile was fired at maximum range at Sevastopol, because the city is iconic for [Russians]. They chose the Holy Trinity Sunday [for the attack]. They often do this when people gather," Vasily Dandykin, military analyst and retired Captain 1st Rank of the Russian Navy, told Sputnik, commenting on Ukraine's terror attack against Russian civilians.

On June 23, Ukraine attacked the Russian city of Sevastopol with five US-made ATACMS missiles armed with cluster warheads. Russian air defenses intercepted four missiles, but the fifth exploded in the air killing at least five civilians and injuring 124, according to Russia's Health Ministry.

"This is an outright terrorist attack," Dandykin said. "Unfortunately, it's not the last one… Previously it was Storm Shadow, now it will mainly be ATACMS."

ATACMS cluster warheads release hundreds of submunitions, hence the number of victims, according to the pundit. The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) bans the weapons as they pose an immediate threat to civilians. Dandykin said that the US and Kiev are seeking to intimidate Russians and sow panic, but stressed that those efforts were futile.

"Sevastopol is a long-suffering city," he said. "This city is special for Russia's history. It was in Sevastopol that the Crimean Spring began as well as resistance to those who carried out a [2014] coup in Ukraine and openly took the path of Nazism."

The Russian Ministry of Defense holds the US and the Kiev regime responsible for the deliberate missile strike on Sevastopol, as all targeting data for ATACMS missiles are provided to Ukraine by US specialists.

Dandykin added that Ukraine also attacked Russian territories on June 22, on the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow for the Nazi invasion of the USSR in 1941, with tacit approval from the US. "Their cynicism is indefinite," he charged.

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How should Russia respond to Ukraine's terror attack on civilians in Sevastopol?

💬 "We must give an adequate answer," Igor Korotchenko, editor in chief of National Defense magazine, told Sputnik, commenting on Ukraine latest terror attack on Sevastopol. "Attacks targeting key facilities of the energy structure of Ukraine – which ensures the stability of the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces – and their complete destruction should be carried out."

The latest missile attack has clearly demonstrated that Washington and Kiev snub all Russia's warnings and "red lines", according to Korotchenko.

On June 23, at 12:15 pm local time, Ukraine attacked the Russian city of Sevastopol with five US-made ATACMS missiles armed with cluster warheads. Russian air defenses intercepted four missiles, but the explosion of the fifth cluster warhead killed at least five civilians and wounded 124, including 27 children, according to the Russian Ministry of Health.

"The second thing that needs to be done is to establish a no-fly zone in the airspace over waters of the Black Sea, from which UK and US strategic reconnaissance drones are patrolling the territory of Crimea. These targets should be destroyed without reacting to possible statements and screams from London and Washington," Korotchenko stressed.

The Russian Ministry of Defense holds the US and the Kiev regime responsible for the deliberate missile strike on Sevastopol's civilians, as all targeting data for ATACMS missiles are provided to Ukraine by US specialists. The attack will not go unanswered, the ministry emphasized.

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⚡️Six law enforcement officers were killed, 12 were wounded in the Russian republic of Dagestan, the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs told Sputnik

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The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, on the terrorist attack in Dagestan: what happened looks like a vile provocation and an attempt to cause discord between faiths.

At the same time, the head of Russian Republic of Ingushetia said that today's events in Sevastopol and Dagestan are links in the same chain, the enemies are trying to destabilize the situation within the country.

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Sevastopol attack reflects US pattern of war crimes – Iranian expert

"The US and some Western countries impose their political will through war crimes against their opponents,” Iranian international relations expert Emad Abshenas told Sputnik, commenting on the Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Sevastopol with American-made weapons.

“The supply of American ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, the permission to use them against Russian territory, and the guidance of these missiles by American satellites all indicate that the US aims to cause as much damage to civilians as possible," Abshenas said.

He likened the tragedy to war crimes the US committed in Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. “It can also be related to what is happening today in Gaza. Every time the Americans realize they are losing on the battlefield, they show that they do not care about international law. In such a situation, they are willing to resort to killing civilians," Abshenas added.

In that context, Abshenas argued, "Russia has the right to supply arms to opponents of the West."

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What is known so far about the attacks in Russian Derbent and Makhachkala:

◻️ In Derbent and Makhachkala, two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post were attacked, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported.

◻️ Six police officers were killed and 12 were wounded, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated.

◻️ A priest in Derbent and a church security guard in Makhachkala were killed, said Shamil Khadulaev, chairman of the Public Monitoring Commission of the Russian Republic of Dagestan.

◻️ In Makhachkala, unknown persons opened fire at a traffic police post.

◻️ The clash continues in Makhachkala; a police patrol car was set on fire.

◻️ In Derbent, a synagogue and a church burned down after an attack by militants, the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Dagestan reported.

◻️ The “Interception” plan was announced in Dagestan. The identities of the attackers are being established.

◻️ Two militants have been eliminated, and the work of security forces continues, the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

◻️ An operational headquarters has been created, reported the head of the region, Sergey Melikov.

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Footage from a Sputnik correspondent from Russia's Makhachkala. Automatic shotgun firing sounds are heard

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Sevastopol attack a desperate response to Russian president’s peace initiative

Lebanese expert Samir Ayoub, specializing in Russian affairs, said that the Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol could be seen as a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's peace initiative and an attempt to recover from battlefield losses.

“This terrorist act shows that the support of the US and Europe for the Kiev regime, and their justification of its actions, encourages it to commit such attacks,” Ayoub told Sputnik. “It’s not just an assault but a reply to the Russian president's peace offers, as well as compensation for the defeats inflicted by the Russian army on the Ukrainians in battles.”

According to Ayoub, Russia’s response to this attack might include strikes “on sensitive targets and decision-making centers in Kiev” and an “expansion of Russian control over territories to create a security buffer around Russian cities.”

Discussing potential developments, Ayoub suggested that events could lead to a “return to negotiations based on Russian proposals,” and if escalation continues, Ukraine might disintegrate as a state.

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Crimes in Russia's Derbent and Makhachkala are an attempt to weaken the consolidation of society in a multinational republic, said the head of the government of Dagestan.

He promised that whatever forces were behind these heinous acts would be punished with the utmost severity.

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❗️The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Republic of Dagestan reports the liquidation of four militants in Makhachkala.

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◻️ Sevastopol picked for Ukraine terror attack because it is core of anti-Nazi resistance – expert

◻️ Ukraine's ATACMS were targeted to pass over crowded place, coordinated by US drone

◻️ Scott Bennett: Sevastopol beach attack with US ATACMS missiles is a crime against humanity

◻️ What is known so far about the attacks in Russian Derbent and Makhachkala

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