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Stavropol woman faces up to seven years in prison for allegedly approving drone attacks
Human rights
Stavropol woman faces up to seven years in prison for allegedly approving drone attacks
18 August 2026

A military court in southern Russia will hear the case of a 43-year-old woman from the village of Kiankiz in Stavropol Krai who is accused of publicly justifying terrorism after reacting to reports of a Ukrainian drone attack. She faces between five and seven years in prison.

Chechnya and Ingushetia rank among Russia's lowest regions for above-average salaries
Economy
Chechnya and Ingushetia rank among Russia's lowest regions for above-average salaries
18 August 2026

Chechnya and Ingushetia have ranked among the lowest Russian regions by the share of workers earning more than the national average. In both republics, only 5.8% of employees earn above the country's average salary, according to a study by RIA Novosti.

The head of Moscow's Azerbaijani diaspora was expelled from Russia after being held for several months in a migration center
Politics
The head of Moscow's Azerbaijani diaspora was expelled from Russia after being held for several months in a migration center
18 August 2026

Bakhtiyar Hasanov, who headed the Azerbaijani national-cultural autonomy in Moscow, was expelled from Russia. He was deported to Azerbaijan after a court refused to overturn the deportation order.

A human rights activist from Kabardino-Balkaria was questioned for two hours at the airport about his work and connections to Turkey
Human rights
A human rights activist from Kabardino-Balkaria was questioned for two hours at the airport about his work and connections to Turkey
18 August 2026

Valery Khatazhukov, head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Center, filed a complaint with the Prosecutor General's Office after a two-hour interrogation at the Mineralnye Vody airport. He claims border guards questioned him about his human rights work, his travels, and his contacts with Turkish citizens, without explaining the basis for their questioning.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Ambassador Over Threats and Calls for Violence in Russian Media
Politics
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Ambassador Over Threats and Calls for Violence in Russian Media
18 August 2026

Mikhail Evdokimov, Russia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry following a series of high-profile statements made within the Russian media landscape. Baku stated that these remarks contained insults and threats directed at the country, its citizens, and its leadership.

Azerbaijan Press Council Accuses Russian Media of Threats and Insults
Politics
Azerbaijan Press Council Accuses Russian Media of Threats and Insults
18 August 2026

The Azerbaijan Press Council has condemned reports in certain Russian media outlets that, according to the organization, contain insults and threats directed at the country, its citizens, its leadership, and prominent public figures.

Drones attacked southern Russian regions—the same areas used to launch drones against Ukraine
Politics
Drones attacked southern Russian regions—the same areas used to launch drones against Ukraine
18 August 2026

Overnight into August 18, drones attacked several regions in southern Russia. Russian authorities reported that hundreds of drones were shot down but did not report any damage or casualties in the Rostov, Krasnodar, and Volgograd regions.

Chechen prisoner faces new disciplinary sanction after five days in solitary confinement
Human rights
Chechen prisoner faces new disciplinary sanction after five days in solitary confinement
17 August 2026

A Chechen man serving a 17-year prison sentence for allegedly preparing a terrorist attack faces a new disciplinary sanction shortly after spending five days in a punishment cell. His wife says he is being treated unfairly and fears he could be transferred to stricter prison conditions.

Politics
"Strong Georgia – Lelo" Petitions Constitutional Court to Restore Emigrants' Voting Rights
17 August 2026

The opposition coalition "Strong Georgia – Lelo" has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court demanding the restoration of voting rights for citizens living abroad. The party maintains that the authorities' decision violates the constitutional rights of emigrants.

Azerbaijan orders arrest in absentia of three Russians over alleged calls for terrorism
Society
Azerbaijan orders arrest in absentia of three Russians over alleged calls for terrorism
17 August 2026

An Azerbaijani court has ordered the arrest in absentia of three Russian citizens accused by investigators of publicly calling for terrorism, the violent overthrow of the constitutional order and violations of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the country's Prosecutor General's Office said.