Introduction
The most significant development in the North Caucasus over the past two weeks has been the reports concerning the alleged car crash and injury involving Adam Kadyrov, son of Chechnya’s leader. These events have further intensified speculation regarding Ramzan Kadyrov’s health and the broader question of succession in the republic.
Despite several Ukrainian drone attacks across the region, no significant infrastructural damage has been reported. Below is an overview of the main events that have taken place across the North Caucasian republics during this period.
Adyghea
A book by prominent Circassian historian Samir Khotko, Adygheans: Mountains, Steppes and Ethnogenesis in the North-Western Caucasus, has been released. The book explores the historical roots of the Circassian people and presents an interdisciplinary study that combines ethnocultural history with an analysis of interactions with nomadic societies, as well as political and military relations with neighboring peoples. It is intended for readers interested in the history, ethnology, and culture of the peoples of the Caucasus.
Despite the fact that Circassians constitute a minority in the Republic of Adyghea, the region has long functioned as a key cultural center for Circassians as a whole. Academic institutions in Maykop have made significant contributions to the study of the Circassian language, history, ethnology, culture, and literature. The city is also home to numerous Circassian artists and folklore ensembles. Overall, Circassian cultural life in Maykop is more vibrant than in Kabardino-Balkaria or Karachaevo-Cherkessia. Moreover, Adyghea serves as an important hub for interaction with the Circassian diaspora in Turkey and the Middle East.
Karachaevo-Cherkesia
The regional state television channel RIA KChR aired a propagandistic report about a resident of Karachaevo-Cherkessia fighting in Ukraine on the side of the Russian forces. According to the report, Beslan Ashibokov, from the village of Inyzhshkho in Khabez district, has been participating in the war since its early stages. In the broadcast, Ashibokov stated: “I never hesitated in my decision, because I want my loved ones to feel safe in our country. In times like these, when the world faces many threats and dangers, serving one’s homeland becomes both important and honorable. It is a great honor for me to defend my country.” The televised report also emphasized Ashibokov’s family background, noting that his grandfather was a veteran of the Second World War. Ashibokov was awarded the Suvorov Medal for his service.
This report illustrates two key narratives in Russia’s information campaign on the war in Ukraine aimed at audiences in the North Caucasus. First, Russian state media seeks to portray North Caucasians not merely as integrated citizens, but as loyal Russian patriots willing to fight for the state. In this context, many fallen North Caucasian soldiers have been posthumously awarded various state honors. Through this framing, Russian propaganda attempts to counter the perception that the war in Ukraine is “not their war” for the peoples of the North Caucasus. Second, Russian media consistently equates the invasion of Ukraine with the Second World War, commonly referred to in Russia as the “Great Patriotic War.” By doing so, it seeks to construct a sense of historical continuity and to legitimize the current war through association with a widely accepted and glorified past conflict.
Kabardino-Balkaria
The filming of the movie Mountain Peak, directed by Yuriy Bykov, has been completed, with the film scheduled for release later this year. The thriller centers on a group of mountaineers attempting to scale Mount Elbrus, where they face challenges and a series of unforeseen events on their ascent to the summit. The film was shot in various locations across Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Cherkessia.
Mount Elbrus holds a sacred significance for both the Circassian and Karachai-Balkar peoples. It features prominently in their folklore and constitutes an important element of their historical memory. However, the film does not include any North Caucasian characters or actors. This may be seen as an example of overlooking the presence and cultural significance of the indigenous peoples of the North Caucasus in a production centered on their region.
North Ossetia
Law enforcement officers in North Ossetia have detained Alan Kusraev, who had left his post as Minister of Agriculture four days prior. According to an informed source, the former minister and the head of one of the ministry’s departments are suspected of fraud and abuse of office. A custodial pre-trial measure has been imposed on both officials. Kusraev had served as minister since 2 August 2022, and resigned voluntarily on January 28.
Agriculture remains one of the least developed sectors of the economy in North Ossetia and, more broadly, across the North Caucasus. Much of the infrastructure inherited from Soviet collective farms was privatized in the post-Soviet period and, in many cases, transformed into less productive agricultural enterprises lacking modern technologies and investment. As a result, the republic continues to depend heavily on financial transfers from the federal center. At the same time, high levels of corruption persist. Arrests of this kind are often interpreted not as genuine anti-corruption efforts, but rather as manifestations of internal struggles between local elite networks and clans.
Ingushetia
A Croatian court has decided to suspend the deportation to Russia of 19-year-old Magomed-Amin Gatagazhev following an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Gatagazhev is accused of membership in an illegal armed group in Syria and of involvement in terrorist activities. Until recently, he had been residing in Turkey, but was detained while attempting to cross the border between Bosnia and Croatia. At present, up to six North Caucasians are being held in Croatia and face possible deportation to Russia, as Croatian authorities consider them a potential threat to national security.
Croatia has become a major entry point for North Caucasians seeking to enter the European Union and apply for asylum. Previously, many irregularly attempted to cross the Ukrainian–Polish or Belarusian–Polish borders, but since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, these routes have largely become inaccessible. As Russian citizens are able to travel visa-free to Bosnia and Herzegovina, many first travel there and then attempt to cross into neighboring Croatia, the nearest EU member state. However, Croatia has adopted a restrictive approach towards North Caucasian asylum seekers. There have been multiple reported cases of detention and deportation to Russia, raising concerns among human rights advocates about the risks faced by those returned.
Chechnya
Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video on his Telegram channel featuring his son, Adam Kadyrov, approximately three weeks after rumors of a car accident had begun to circulate. In the footage, Adam Kadyrov is shown having dinner with his father’s associates. Observers noted that he appeared to have lost a significant amount of weight, and that there were visible changes to his jawline. It was also remarked that the camera did not focus on him for extended periods. According to unverified reports, Adam Kadyrov and his bodyguard were involved in a high-speed car incident in Grozny, during which Kadyrov’s motorcade collided with another vehicle. The driver of the other car reportedly died at the scene. Kadyrov was subsequently hospitalized in Moscow, where he is said to have undergone surgery, allegedly including the removal of his spleen. The Chechen authorities have not confirmed these claims.
The release of this footage once again highlights the culture of secrecy surrounding Kadyrov’s administration. As the leader of Chechnya appears to be positioning his younger son as a potential successor, there is a clear incentive to shield him from any reputational damage. Over recent years, Adam Kadyrov has been actively promoted in the public sphere, and any confirmed involvement in a serious car incident would undermine his carefully constructed image and reinforce perceptions of elite impunity.
Dagestan
A system administrator from the village of Botlikh, Mirzabeg Murtazaliev, faces up to eight years’ imprisonment under charges of secretly cooperating with foreign nationals. Murtazaliev, 24, had been working as a system administrator and, more than a year ago, advertised his professional services on specialized online platforms. Information regarding Murtazaliev’s case remains limited, as the proceedings have been classified. Media representatives are not permitted to attend the hearings, which further restricts access to details about the charges and the evidence presented. According to leaked information, Murtazaliev remained at liberty at least until February 2025, when he underwent medical tests at a private clinic. Court records indicate that a hearing was scheduled for February 13 to consider the extension of his pre-trial detention measure.
Murtazaliev’s arrest may be interpreted within the broader context of intensified counter-intelligence measures aimed at preventing the transfer of information to Ukraine. In addition to covert operations, Ukrainian actors have reportedly relied extensively on open-source intelligence to gather data from within Russia. Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, arrests under such provisions have become increasingly frequent, reflecting heightened sensitivity on the part of Russian security services to perceived information leaks.