Ruben Vardanyan refused the services of a lawyer. October 21, 2025 17:56 Former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has abandoned his lawyer, Avraham Berman, who has represented him since the beginning of his trial in the Baku Military Court.
33 people were detained after a rally in support of the mayor of Gyumri. October 21, 2025 16:58 The number of people detained in connection with the mass unrest in Gyumri has risen to 33, the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported. Among those detained is a teenager who did not participate in the unrest, a lawyer stated.
A soldier from Kabardino-Balkaria was convicted of abandoning his unit. October 21, 2025 16:03 The court sentenced Stanislav Babov from the Prokhladnensky district to a year in prison, finding him guilty of leaving his unit without permission during mobilization.
Sergei Les was denied house arrest. October 21, 2025 15:07 A court in Kuban refused to release former head of the Krymsk region, Sergei Les, from custody after he was accused of abuse of power.
Azerbaijan lifted restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. October 21, 2025 14:10 The President of Azerbaijan announced the lifting of all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. Armenian authorities considered this an important step in opening regional communications.
Bakhruz Samedov complained about the conditions in the penal colony. October 21, 2025 13:11 Political scientist Bakhruz Samedov, imprisoned in Azerbaijan, has been placed in a closed cell; prison officials have threatened to keep him there for six weeks. His lawyer has announced an appeal to the Ombudsman.
Residents of a village in the Rostov region were left without gas after a drone attack. October 21, 2025 12:12 As a result of the drone attack overnight, gas supply was cut off to 42 private homes in the village of Voronovo, and about 3,000 residents in the village of Nedvigovka were left without electricity.
Gyumri mayor remanded in custody despite defense arguments October 21, 2025 11:13 Investigators convinced a Yerevan court to remand Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, who is suspected of accepting bribes. The opposition politician denied the charges, and his lawyer called the case fabricated.
Bataysk authorities have offered compensation to residents of damaged apartments. October 21, 2025 10:13 Residents of Bataysk whose apartments were damaged in drone attacks have been asked to apply to city authorities for one-time financial assistance. According to military officials, 34 drones were shot down in the Rostov Region overnight, and three more were destroyed in Kuban.
Human rights activists have confirmed the practice of sending Chechen residents to the SVO for minor violations. October 21, 2025 09:14 Chechen residents are being forcibly sent to Ukraine as punishment for alcohol and drug use and minor offenses, human rights activists confirmed according to businessman Aslanbek Akhmetkhanov.
Two contract soldiers from the Astrakhan region were killed in combat. October 21, 2025 08:15 Vasily Kvasov and Ruslan Bergaliev were killed in combat in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the military operation, at least 635 soldiers from the Astrakhan region have been confirmed killed.
Airports in southern Russian cities have resumed operations. October 21, 2025 07:15 Flights have resumed at airports in Vladikavkaz, Volgograd, Gelendzhik, Grozny, Krasnodar, and Sochi, which were suspended due to flight safety concerns.
Abkhaz authorities have denied support to women persecuted over Russian child benefits. October 21, 2025 06:40 Up to 1,000 Abkhazian citizens may be at risk of criminal prosecution for child benefit fraud, but the republic's authorities are not intervening in the situation, as it could harm relations with Russia.
Residents evacuated from a damaged high-rise building in Bataysk have been allowed to return home. October 21, 2025 04:41 The load-bearing structures of the multi-story building in Bataysk, which was damaged during an air strike last night, have not been damaged, and evacuated residents have been allowed to return to their apartments.
Aishat Baimuradova's case became an example of "honor killing." October 21, 2025 03:42 Chechen native Ayshat Baimuradova, found in Yerevan with signs of violent death, was the victim of a so-called "honor killing," human rights activists believe. Baimuradova's case has become a precedent in their practice, as Ayshat was killed in the country where she sought protection.
Operations at four airports in southern Russia have been suspended. October 21, 2025 02:36 To ensure safety, Rosaviatsiya has imposed restrictions on the operation of airports in Volgograd, Krasnodar, Gelendzhik, and Sochi.
Two Rostov residents were injured in a drone attack. October 21, 2025 01:37 A drone crashed into two private homes in Rostov-on-Don, injuring two people. One was treated at the scene, while the other was hospitalized. In Bataysk, 20 residents were evacuated from the damaged house.
An excavator operator was injured in a mine explosion near Khojavend. October 21, 2025 00:40 An employee of the Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency was injured in a mine explosion in Karabakh; his leg was amputated.
Activists blocked Rustaveli Avenue despite the threat of arrests. October 20, 2025 23:41 Protesters in Tbilisi blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue on the 327th day of continuous protests. At least five more people were arrested for blocking traffic in previous days.
Nineteen Azerbaijanis have been expelled from Russia after being detained in Makhachkala. October 20, 2025 22:43 Dagestan police reported a raid against illegal migrants in Makhachkala and the deportation of 19 Azerbaijani citizens as a result.