ByMICHAEL STARR
Updated:

At least three firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in Obninsk on Tuesday, according to the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, just over a year after the same synagogue was targeted in another arson attack.

The bottles containing a mixture of incendiary chemicals damaged the entrance of the building. A photograph of the Kaluga Oblast house of worship showed a scorched door and a warped metal canopy.

The previous July 10, 2024, attack saw vandals set fire to the synagogue’s electrical box. The synagogue’s windows and fence were also damaged in the incident, but the aggressors were unable to break into the building. Police later arrested two minors in relation to the incident.

Statements from the synagogue's rabbi

The synagogue's rabbi, Aaron Golovchiner, said in a statement that a second attack indicated an orchestrated antisemitic plot.

“Of course, this is an act of antisemitism - that is the only way to classify a second arson attack on a synagogue,” said Golovchiner. “Last year, police detained two minors on suspicion of committing this crime, but the investigation carried out did not satisfy us,” he continued.

The Obninsk Synagogue, where at least three firebombs were thrown.,
The Obninsk Synagogue, where at least three firebombs were thrown., (credit: Wikimedia Commons)


“We pointed out to the police that the nature of the damage done to the building was such that children – one of the detainees was not even eight years old at the time – could not have done it on their own,” Golovchiner added.

He said that malicious actors were using minors to avert criminal responsibility.

“Now this impunity has led to a new crime,” said Golovchiner.