Latest Articles about North Caucasus
Party Leader Accuses the Governor of Dagestan of a Physical Assault
On February 20, the chairman of the Dagestani branch of the Russian political party Spravedlivaya Rossiya (Just Russia), Gajimurad Omarov, was beaten up in Makhachkala. Omarov said the assailants were people associated with the governor of the republic, Ramazan Abdulatipov. The attack took place at... MORE
FSB Director Says Islamic State fighters Include 1,700 Russian Citizens
As elements of the Islamic State (IS) infiltrate the territory of the North Caucasus, the looming question is whether the caliphate will have an actual impact on the situation in the region. As of now, it can be said with certainty that little has changed... MORE
Chechen Conscripts and Their Russian Commanders—Irreconcilable Differences?
Following a series of fistfights between Chechen conscripts and other draftees in the Russian Armed Forces, a public scandal broke out in the 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade, based in the Stavropol region city of Budyonnovsk. On February 12, four Chechen soldiers were charged with assault.... MORE
Chechen Conscripts and Their Russian Commanders—Irreconcilable Differences?
Following a series of fistfights between Chechen conscripts and other draftees in the Russian Armed Forces, a public scandal broke out in the 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade, based in the Stavropol region city of Budyonnovsk. On February 12, four Chechen soldiers were charged with assault.... MORE
Dagestan Risks Becoming a ‘Yugoslavia in the Caucasus’
Dagestan, the most ethnically complex republic in the North Caucasus, faces an ever greater risk that it will disintegrate as Yugoslavia did. This growing danger exists both because of the changing demographics and power relationships within this Russian federal-level entity and due to the growing... MORE
Ukrainian Parliament Member Initiates Legislation to Recognize Circassian ‘Genocide’
Circassian activists and their supporters in Ukraine continue working on a project for recognition of the Circassian “genocide.” On February 13, Dmitro Linko, a member of the Radical Party of Oleg Lyashko, registered the new legislation in the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. On February... MORE
Caucasus Emirate Loyalist Picked as New Militant Leader in Dagestan
Sheikh Ali Abu-Muhammad has been the amir (leader) of the Caucasus Emirate (CE) since March 2014 (Kavkazsky Uzel, December 28, 2014). Now, Abu-Muhammad, who is number 1,642 on the Russian Service for Financial Monitoring list of terrorists (Fedsfm.ru, accessed February 20), is trying to restore... MORE
Caucasus Emirate Loyalist Picked as New Militant Leader in Dagestan
Sheikh Ali Abu-Muhammad has been the amir (leader) of the Caucasus Emirate (CE) since March 2014 (Kavkazsky Uzel, December 28, 2014). Now, Abu-Muhammad, who is number 1,642 on the Russian Service for Financial Monitoring list of terrorists (Fedsfm.ru, accessed February 20), is trying to restore... MORE
Terek Cossacks Experience Internal Challenges and Government’s Distrust
The Terek Cossack Military is facing a crisis as the Cossacks and the Russian authorities cannot find a candidate for the leadership position in the organization that would satisfy both sides. The initial plan to hold elections for the new ataman (Cossack chieftain) in February... MORE
Terek Cossacks Experience Internal Challenges and Government’s Distrust
The Terek Cossack Military is facing a crisis as the Cossacks and the Russian authorities cannot find a candidate for the leadership position in the organization that would satisfy both sides. The initial plan to hold elections for the new ataman (Cossack chieftain) in February... MORE