Introduction
The past two weeks in the North Caucasus were largely shaped by Victory Day celebrations. Local authorities implemented preventive security measures, including restrictions on mobile internet access, in an effort to protect their republics from potential Ukrainian drone strikes. At the same time, regional administrations continued efforts to address the consequences of the devastating floods in Chechnya and Dagestan. Below are the main developments in the North Caucasus over the last two weeks.
Adyghea
Volunteers from Adygea planted a fruit orchard in the village of Vilne, located in the occupied part of the Kherson region. Last year, specialists from Adygea were involved in the reconstruction of the Vilne primary and secondary school building. They also built a sports ground and renovated the surrounding area. Among the participants in this humanitarian initiative were Aseta Berzegova, a member of the Maykop City Council; Kazbel Khurum, a member of the republican parliament; and Vyacheslav Shovgenov, chief physician of the Republican dental clinic. The group also delivered humanitarian aid to the Kherson region.
Following the annexation of parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, the Russian authorities and local occupation administrations have been involved in numerous infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, the occupied territories continue to face shortages of both funding and workforce. To address these gaps, many Russian regions have become involved in the reconstruction and infrastructure efforts. For the authorities in the North Caucasus, infrastructure projects in Ukraine’s sovereign territories represent a significant source of corrupt income.
Karachaevo-Cherkessia
A new mosque has been completed in Karachay–Cherkessia, in Kardonikskaya, located in the Zelenchuk District. Several thousand local residents attended the opening ceremony. Among those present were representatives of the local government and parliament, municipal officials, members of the Spiritual Directorate, and other public figures. Kardonikskaya is predominantly populated by ethnic Karachays.
The opening ceremony reflects a growing interest in Islamic religious identity in Karachay–Cherkessia. The construction of new mosques has become a regular feature of life in the republic. In some cases, villages that lack basic infrastructure may still have relatively modern mosques. Local authorities are actively involved in supporting this process. However, in the long term, rapid Islamicisation may contribute to a sense of social and cultural distance between the republic and wider Russian society.
Kabardino-Balkaria
Human rights activists in Kabardino-Balkaria called on the head of the republic, Kazbek Kokov, to halt pressure on Circassian activists ahead of the Day of Remembrance of the Circassian Genocide. According to reports, law enforcement bodies in the republic had been distributing warning notices to residents, cautioning them against participating in events scheduled for 21 May. As the authors of the petition stated: “Memorial rallies on 21 May are not political events and do not represent demonstrations of loyalty or disobedience to anyone. This day was declared a public day of remembrance by the Supreme Council of the Kabardino-Balkarian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1992, without any political agenda. However, instead of supporting these commemorative events and taking the initiative to organise them, as was previously the case, the republican authorities are effectively supporting the measures undertaken by the security services.”
May 21 holds deep symbolic significance for the Circassians. On 21 May 1864, the final battle of the Russo–Caucasian War between Russian-Cossack forces and Circassian resistance fighters took place in what is now Krasnaya Polyana, leading to the mass displacement of the Circassian population. Approximately 90% of Circassians either perished, or fled to the Ottoman Empire, while vast areas of the Black Sea coast previously inhabited by Circassians were depopulated.
Circassians have commemorated this date annually for decades. In the past, the authorities in Circassian-populated republics generally tolerated these events. The first major restrictions emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when limitations were justified on public health grounds. In subsequent years, however, these measures evolved into broader repression of activists and the securitisation of memorial events. For example, several activists were arrested during commemorations on 21 May 2025. These measures are widely perceived as attempts to prevent the rise of Circassian nationalism.
North Ossetia
Border police at the Georgian–Russian crossing point of Verkhniy Lars confiscated a large number of antique swords and daggers from a vehicle. According to the official statement, the driver was a 40-year-old Russian citizen who was attempting to transport 47 items dating from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, originating from North Africa, the North Caucasus, India and Japan. An expert examination confirmed that the items possessed significant cultural value. A criminal case has been opened, and the perpetrators may face a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to one million roubles.
Attempts to smuggle antique items and precious metals through the Verkhniy Lars crossing point are not a new phenomenon. Each year, there are periodic reports of confiscations involving such goods. This type of trafficking may have increased as a result of sanctions and the closure of borders between Russia and EU member states. In this context, Georgia remains one of the few available transit routes for smuggling activities.
Ingushetia
Hamzat Khashiev, a veteran of the Russian–Ukrainian war, has been appointed Deputy Minister for External Relations, National Policy, Press and Information in Ingushetia. Khashiev is a participant in the programme Heroe’s Path, which serves as the Ingush equivalent of the nationwide initiative Time of Heroes. According to the head of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, the republic’s authorities intend to amend legislation in order to facilitate the employment of war veterans. He also described veterans as “the future elite of the republic.”
Ingushetia has one of the highest per capita death tolls in the war in Ukraine. To date, 227 residents of the republic have reportedly been killed in the conflict. In 2025 alone, 464 combatants from Ingushetia received medical treatment following their participation in the war. Unemployment among veterans of the invasion remains high across Russia, particularly in the North Caucasus. In response, local authorities have sought to facilitate their reintegration by offering them secondary or administrative positions within regional government structures.
Chechnya
The Chechen authorities have announced the completion of new housing for residents who lost their property during the devastating floods at the end of March. In total, 143 houses have been constructed in Gudermes and Benoy, intended to accommodate around 800 people. However, many of the new residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the buildings. According to complaints, the houses were constructed rapidly using inexpensive materials. The most common criticisms include uneven walls, poor interior planning, low-quality plasterwork and the placement of toilets close to kitchen areas.
Chechnya has extensive experience in providing compensation to individuals who have lost their homes. Hundreds of thousands of residents whose properties were damaged during the Russo–Chechen wars received financial compensation or new apartments. However, this process has often been accompanied by allegations of corruption. Moreover, there are frequently long waiting lists for those seeking accommodation. In many cases, individuals with relatives or connections within the government reportedly receive compensation more quickly, while others are forced to wait for extended periods, sometimes years.
Dagestan
The Ministry of Digital Development of Dagestan announced restrictions on mobile internet access ahead of Victory Day celebrations. Following the decision, residents of Makhachkala complained about slow internet connections, difficulties booking taxis through mobile applications, and sharply increased taxi prices. The Dagestani authorities followed the example of several other Russian regions, where internet restrictions were also introduced prior to the May 9 celebrations.
Restrictions on mobile internet access have become a widely debated issue in Russia. In response to Ukrainian drone attacks, the Russian authorities have increasingly used internet shutdowns and signal disruptions in an attempt to hinder the coordination and navigation of drone operations. These measures have already affected many aspects of daily life across the country.
Dagestan is no exception, particularly given the growing digital dependence of local residents. In addition, many Dagestanis follow Salafi preachers such as Abu Umar Sasitlinsky and Abdullah Kosteksky, who reside abroad and whose materials are classified as extremist by the Russian authorities. Restrictions on mobile internet access may therefore also limit the ability of their followers to engage with such online content.