Telegram post by Nikolai Rybakov, 27.06.2024

Photos by the Yabloko Press Service

Yesterday I was in Dagestan – in Makhachkala and Derbent. That was case when I couldn’t help but come. You all understand the tragic reason. I will return (https://eng.yabloko.ru/yabokos-statement-on-the-situation-in-dagestan ) to the substantive side of the problem more than once in the future. But now I just want to share the photos. Perhaps they will convey the atmosphere and feelings.

I made it to Derbent right for the farewell and funeral of [Orthodox priest] Father Nikolai Kotelnikov. He was buried near the wall of the Temple of Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, where he served for more than 40 years.

When I was in Derbent last year, I certainly remembered the monument in the Street of Happy People – now they write a lot about it. Representatives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam drink tea together at the table. Father Nikolai was the prototype of the Orthodox priest on this monument. It was the same at the farewell ceremony – both the Imam and the Rabbi spoke [at the ceremony] in the temple.

No words of mine will convey the atmosphere. An atmosphere of good grief of people when their loved one was taken away from them. He was not old, only 66. But he had been seriously ill in recent years, and had no possibility to resist the attackers.

I cannot convey the grief of the presvytera, the widow of Father Nikolai, before whose eyes he was killed. Now I am writing the text and recollecting – at such a time, she found the words for all of us to answer our condolences, she found the strength to say goodbye.

Then I went to the burnt-out Derbent synagogue. A community member said that if the terrorists had arrived 30 minutes later (as they apparently planned), the synagogue would have been filled with parishioners. Two Lezgin guards died in the synagogue.

We return to Makhachkala. To the Holy Assumption Cathedral. There are also traces of a strong fire there, and many burnt out cars. And also a fresh grave – security guard Mikhail Vavilin, who was of my age and who resisted the attackers, is buried near the wall of the temple. The funeral was yesterday. There are parishioners at the grave and one of his friends. Lots of flowers.

At the end of the day, we arrive at the monument to the fallen policemen near the Ministry of Internal Affairs building. Plates, slabs, slabs – with the names of police officers in recent years. Now there will be a new plate and 15 new names.

In total, terrorists killed 20 people in Makhachkala and Derbent. If you have time, read Alexander Chernykh’s serious article in Kommersant (https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6790808?tg ) on the situation in the republic after the terrorist attack.

I am heading to the airport and returning to Moscow. I think about one thing – PEOPLE, STOP KILLING EACH OTHER! Everywhere. Just stop.

Source: https://t.me/rybakovyabloko/1684