A priest was attacked in the Elista Cathedral.

A man with a knife attacked Archpriest Anatoly Sklyarov in the Kazan Cathedral, wounding him. The diocese called the attacker "mentally ill."

The incident occurred this morning in the cathedral while the archpriest was performing services—private religious services and rites at the request of the faithful.

"After the service, a man approached him, apparently intending to discuss spiritual matters. Instead, the stranger pulled out a knife and attempted to fatally wound the priest," reported the security-affiliated Telegram channel 112.

According to the channel, the priest "managed to dodge" the blow thanks to his physical fitness, but was wounded in the arm and was rushed to the hospital, while the attacker fled.

The press service of the Elista and Kalmyk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church confirmed the attack on Archpriest Anatoly Sklyarov, reporting that the assailant has been detained by law enforcement.

"According to available information, the attacker suffers from a mental illness. We believe that this person's actions were largely due to a distorted perception of reality, his illness, and were not directed against the feelings of believers," reads a publication on the diocese's official website.

Church representatives added that Father Anatoly's life is not in danger after his injury.

"Caucasian Knot" reported that on June 23, 2024, militants attacked an Orthodox church and a synagogue in Derbent, and an attack on the Holy Dormition Cathedral and a traffic police post in Makhachkala. As a result, 22 people were killed and 46 were injured. The "Caucasian Knot" prepared reports "Key Information on the Participants in the Makhachkala and Derbent Attacks" and "Attacks on Churches, Synagogues, and Security Forces in Dagestan".

In August 2024, it became known that six residents of Ingushetia had been detained; according to investigators, they were preparing attacks on security forces and an Orthodox church in Sunzha. One of the suspects stated that he received instructions from a Dagestani native living in Syria. According to the Magas District Court, three of the suspects were minors at the time of their detention. In April 2025, the case of two defendants came to court. For another, an 18-year-old resident of Ingushetia, the prosecution requested compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital.