The search for 8-year-old Khizir Derbichev, swept away by a powerful river current in Ingushetia, has been ongoing for eight days now. Since early morning, a new shift of volunteers entered the cold waters of the Sunzha River and continued combing the area in hopes of finding the little hero who dared to risk his life to save his friend.

The Chechen opposition movement NIYSO, recognized as extremist in Russia, reported that young people arriving in Grozny to enroll in universities are being redirected to the military enlistment office and drafted into military service. This information has not yet been confirmed by other sources, and regional authorities are refraining from comment.

The parents of activist Mansur Movlaev, previously kidnapped in Chechnya, have been released and returned home. This was reported by human rights activist Maxim Rudnev.

For seven days now, tens of thousands of volunteers from across the North Caucasus have been searching for little hero Khizir Derbichev, who was swept away by the powerful current of the Sunzha River near the village of Yandare in the Nazran District of Ingushetia. Despite fatigue, icy water, and challenging conditions, the men are carefully surveying the underwater area and the shoreline, searching under rocks, trees, and slabs.

Today, a planned weekend fair was canceled in the city of Sunzha, Ingushetia. The administration's press service explained that the decision was made to prevent traffic congestion and ensure the smooth operation of the task force coordinating the search for the missing boy.

A Baku court has sentenced eight more Russians accused of cybercrime and drug trafficking. They were previously detained amid tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia.

The European Commission has provided Armenia with €34 million in financial support. The funds are intended to offset the negative impact of Russian trade sanctions on private businesses.

According to a report by Hraparak, an unspoken competition for the presidential seat has flared up in Armenia among representatives of the ruling Civil Contract party. The source reports that this standoff is due to reports of incumbent President Vahagn Khachaturyan's significant health problems, which presumably will prevent him from completing his term in office.