News

The Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of Russia dismissed the appeals of former Dagestan Deputy Prime Minister Shamil Isayev, Magomed Khazamov, and the defense of Murad Shuaibov, who died in prison, against the verdict in the case of the murder of Chernovik editor-in-chief Khadzhimurad Kamalov. Isayev had signed a contract and was wounded in the SVO zone.

At least 4,051 soldiers from the North Caucasus Federal District and 4,199 from the Southern Federal District have been officially recognized as killed in the military operation in Ukraine.

A drone attack damaged five private homes in the village of Afipsky, where an oil refinery is located.

Austrian resident Indira Taisumova recorded a video message to the head of Chechnya asking for help in reclaiming her two daughters, who are being held by her ex-husband. She claims she faced violence and threats while attempting to retrieve the children.

People who have previously experienced wars and the associated losses and hardships are vulnerable, and drone attacks in Chechnya and even testing of warning systems are causing fear and anxiety among some residents. Psychologists noted that mobile internet shutdowns deprive them of access to reliable information and only exacerbate this situation.

The pretrial detention of Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, head of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who is accused of obstructing the exercise of electoral rights and forcing participation in public meetings, has been extended by two months. His defense is appealing the decision.

More than 90% of the fuel oil spilled during the tanker disaster has been recovered, and fuel oil was removed from the bow of the Volgoneft-239 tanker in October and November, authorities reported. Volunteers noted that the fuel oil in the Temryuk district is hidden under a layer of sand.

At the first hearing in the Meydan TV case, a Baku court rejected the lawyers' requests to dismiss the criminal case and release the defendants. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for an end to the persecution of critics of the Azerbaijani government.

The court sentenced Viktor Spirichev and Sergei Dvurechensky, residents of the Kuban village, to suspended prison terms, finding them members of an extremist organization. Both Jehovah's Witnesses* denied the charges.

At the trial of Kurban Dalgatov, who died after being detained at the Sovietsky District Department of Internal Affairs in Makhachkala, two defendants testified, accusing their former colleague, Islam Atavov, of committing the crime.

Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, attended a rally outside the parliament building on the 380th day of uninterrupted protests. Participants protested the Georgian prime minister's participation in the International Year of Peace and Trust forum in Ashgabat, where Irakli Kobakhidze posed for a photo next to Vladimir Putin. 

The Russian Ministry of Justice has added Yeisk activist and former district council member Alexander Korovayny* to the register of foreign agents. The activist himself recalled that he had previously been recognized as "the best young politician in the Krasnodar Territory." 

Kenan Zeynalov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, denied the charges against him in court. He recounted the incident that led to his arrest, claiming it was a planned provocation.

The airports of Grozny, Magas, Vladikavkaz, and Makhachkala are closed due to the threat of drone attacks. Six flights are delayed at Makhachkala Airport, and one at Vladikavkaz Airport.

Azerbaijani social media users, commenting on the Karabakh parliamentarians' statement about fighting to return to their homeland, called it unrealistic. The Armenian Prime Minister expressed a similar opinion, also suggesting that Baku close the issue of Western Azerbaijan.

Amid the increasing frequency of drone attacks, Chechen authorities organized at least two tests of emergency sirens within three days. Another test was previously scheduled for late December.

Eight defendants in the case against the military-political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh made their final statements before a Baku court. All pleaded not guilty to the war crimes charged against them.

Rosaviatsiya temporarily closed the airports in Sochi and Volgograd to flights. Shortly after the flight ban, the mayor of Sochi announced the lifting of the drone alert, although residents had previously heard a series of explosions.

The Supreme Court of Abkhazia sentenced the son of the republic's former deputy defense minister, Batal Pilia, to a lengthy prison term, finding him guilty of murdering the nephew of the first president. 

The Liakhva is the only major river in South Ossetia, and economic activity there threatens not only its wildlife but can also lead to shallowing. Meanwhile, local residents have shown little interest in keeping the river clean, even though water samples have only met safety standards at its source.