Introduction
The first two weeks of April were not marked by major developments in the North Caucasus. The most notable events were the aftermath of the flooding in Chechnya and Dagestan, as well as ongoing speculation regarding the possible resignation of the head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov.
The war in Ukraine also continued to affect the region. The updated reported death toll is as follows: Dagestan – 1,904; North Ossetia – 582; Kabardino-Balkaria – 387; Chechnya – 263; Karachay–Cherkessia – 194; Ingushetia – 191; Adygea – 137. Total: 3,658.
Adyghea
A resident of the Giaginskaya settlement was arrested for extinguishing the eternal flame at a Second World War memorial in the locality. CCTV footage captured the individual placing cloth over the flame, extinguishing it, and then leaving the scene. A criminal case has been opened on charges of desecrating a military memorial site, an offence that carries a potential sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment. Neither the name, ethnicity, nor the motivation of the perpetrator has been disclosed in open sources.
The Second World War holds a highly symbolic and sacralised meaning in contemporary Russia. There is even a specific article in the Russian Criminal Code addressing the “desecration of military memorial sites.” Adygea was among the regions of the North Caucasus that were temporarily occupied by Nazi Germany. As a result, policies of historical memory are particularly intense in such territories.
Karachaevo-Cherkesia
In a comprehensive interview, the Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasian Federal District, Yuriy Chaika, addressed several key infrastructural projects in Karachay–Cherkessia. The most significant initiative is the proposed construction of the “Arkhyz” airport, which would be the first airport in the republic. The project is intended to serve as a major gateway for tourists travelling to the Arkhyz and Dombai ski resorts. According to Chaika, the new airport is expected to boost the region’s economy. The proposal has already passed the required state expertise, and completion is planned for 2029.
Karachay–Cherkessia is one of the least economically developed regions of Russia, with persistently high levels of unemployment. One of the few significant sources of income for local residents is the tourism sector, particularly ski resorts, which reach peak activity during the winter season. The local administration has been attempting to transform these into year-round destinations. The number of tourists visiting Karachay–Cherkessia has increased since the imposition of sanctions and the beginning of the war in Ukraine. However, infrastructure remains underdeveloped, and once travel restrictions on Russian citizens are eased, the resorts of Karachay–Cherkessia are likely to lose a portion of their visitors.
Kabardino-Balkaria
The local court in the Cherek District imposed a fine of 20,000 rubles on Alina Taymazkulova and Asiyat Kaygermazova for organising a motor rally dedicated to the Day of the Revival of the Balkar People. According to court reports, the rally was expected to involve more than 50 vehicles displaying Balkar national flags and other symbols. The report stated that the organisers had failed to notify the local administration in advance. However, it is noteworthy that the local authorities themselves had announced an annual rally through the Cherek Gorge to mark the occasion.
As noted in previous reports, Kabardino-Balkaria marks the Day of the Revival of the Balkar People on 28 March. This date is associated with the rehabilitation of the Balkar people and their permission to return to their homeland following their deportation by Stalin to Central Asia. Although the local administration actively organises various commemorative events, Russian security services tend to view any grassroots attempts to mobilise activists around such symbolic dates and historical memory as a potential threat.
North Ossetia
On 10 April, an explosion occurred in a pyrotechnics warehouse in Vladikavkaz. As a result of the incident, two individuals were killed and 15 others were injured, including two children. Following the explosion, three individuals were arrested – the company director and two warehouse managers – on charges of failing to comply with safety regulations.
The incident is thought highly unlikely to have been a terrorist attack or any other deliberate act of violence, and appears to have been caused by the mismanagement of large quantities of explosive materials. In the North Caucasus, safety regulations are often poorly enforced or are completely neglected. At the same time, fireworks and other pyrotechnic products remain popular across the region, being frequently used during celebrations such as birthdays, religious holidays and weddings. The high demand encourages business owners to import such goods and establish retail outlets in various urban areas.
Ingushetia
A violent clash occurred on 16 April in the village of Gazi-Yurt. The conflict reportedly involved the Ugurchiev family on one side and the Yansarov family, the Kostoev brothers, and Olympic silver medallist representing Turkey, Kaloy Kartoev (Selim Yaşar), on the other. Footage shows two vehicles approaching the Ugurchiev family home, followed by a fight and gunfire. The exact cause of the conflict remains unclear. The two main claims circulating on social media suggest either a financial dispute or the continuation of a minor altercation in a café. At the time of writing, the local law enforcement authorities have yet to make any arrests.
Athletes involved in martial arts in the North Caucasus often enjoy a distinct social status. After retiring from professional sport, many become involved in local business, politics, or, in some cases, organised crime and even insurgent movements. A well-known example is the former Olympic champion from Dagestan, Sagid Murtuzaliev, who was implicated in corruption schemes and is alleged to have supported Imarat Kavkaz units in Dagestan. In a number of instances, retired sportsmen appear to operate with a degree of impunity, with law enforcement bodies reportedly turning a blind eye to certain incidents.
Chechnya
The Telegram channel NIYSO has reported a new wave of arrests of residents in the republic. According to these reports, relatives of detainees have received messages stating that they will “never see their loved ones again.” This information was partially confirmed by a WhatsApp status posted by the head of the Kurchaloy District police, Rustam Aguev, who wrote: “Please, nobody reach out to me to secure someone’s release. I have my responsibilities and I know who I answer to. No offence.”
At least three residents of Nizhniy Noyber have reportedly been detained. According to NIYSO, the arrests are linked to individuals associated with Adam Delimkhanov.
Arrests and extrajudicial practices, such as abductions, are not new phenomena in Chechnya. However, these practices have reportedly intensified since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The most common triggers include activity on social media and the sharing of information with opposition-oriented Chechen platforms operating abroad. In addition, relatives of individuals fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine face a heightened risk of persecution. In some cases, individuals may also be detained or abducted due to disagreements with local authorities.
Dagestan
Following the devastating floods in Dagestan, rumours have begun circulating that the current head of the republic, Sergei Melikov, may soon resign. Media outlets have been speculating about potential successors, with Magomed Ramazanov emerging as one of the most likely candidates. Ramazanov, originally from the Bezhta district and of Avar ethnicity, currently serves as a deputy to the Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. A graduate of an FSB academy, he has extensive experience in the public sector. He recently appeared in a video call with President Vladimir Putin, during which he was tasked with addressing the consequences of the flooding.
Sergei Melikov represents an example of the Kremlin’s broader attempt to impose external governance over Dagestan. His predecessor, Vladimir Vasiliev, an ethnic Russian, was the first non-local head of the republic. Although Melikov is ethnically Lezgin, he spent most of his life outside Dagestan and is not deeply embedded in local clan structures. For many local stakeholders, Melikov is perceived as “overly Russified,” and there have even been rumours regarding his adherence to Orthodox Christianity. Under such circumstances, he has faced difficulties maintaining control over the republic’s complex network of clans, and, as such, he is likely to be replaced by a local technocrat with a stronger understanding of the regional dynamics and closer ties to local elites.