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Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
Society
Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
15 August 2026

Queues remain at the Russian-Georgian border following temporary restrictions on traffic through the Verkhny Lars crossing. The situation has drawn additional attention amid rumours circulating in Russia about a possible new mobilisation, recalling the autumn of 2022, when large numbers of men eligible for military service left the country through the crossing. There is no official evidence linking the current restrictions to any mobilisation measures.

Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
Society
Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
15 August 2026

In Dagestan, 82,000 people have received compensation following the devastating spring floods — less than 30% of the residents who applied for assistance. In neighbouring Chechnya, authorities have reported paying out 726 million roubles to those affected.

Georgian opposition insists Russia orchestrated fuel supplies to Abkhazia
Politics
Georgian opposition insists Russia orchestrated fuel supplies to Abkhazia
15 August 2026

Fuel shipments from the Tbilisi-controlled part of Georgia to Abkhazia have sparked a new political conflict in the country. The opposition believes that Moscow and the ruling "Georgian Dream" party are behind the gasoline shipment. Authorities, however, insist that the fuel was supplied by private business and that the trade itself does not violate Georgian law.

Doctor who treated victims of Gelendzhik beach attack receives award
Society
Doctor who treated victims of Gelendzhik beach attack receives award
15 August 2026

Alexander Shishkin, an intensive care doctor who was on the beach in Arkhipo-Osipovka when a drone attack took place on Aug. 3, has described how he helped treat the wounded. Eleven days after the attack, he was awarded a medal for helping to save the victims.

Drone threat hits North Caucasus, disrupting flights at several airports
News
Drone threat hits North Caucasus, disrupting flights at several airports
15 August 2026

A drone threat alert was issued simultaneously in six North Caucasus republics on Aug. 15. Makhachkala airport temporarily suspended arrivals and departures, while air-raid restrictions coincided with hours-long flight delays at several airports across the North Caucasus.

“Conviction factory”: Southern Military Court leads Russia in terrorism cases
Human rights
“Conviction factory”: Southern Military Court leads Russia in terrorism cases
15 August 2026

The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued 425 convictions under Russia's "terrorism" laws in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than a third of all such rulings nationwide, according to a study by the human rights project First Department and the independent Parubets Analytics research centre.

Adam Kadyrov named honorary citizen of Kurchaloy district
Society
Adam Kadyrov named honorary citizen of Kurchaloy district
14 August 2026

Adam Kadyrov, the 18-year-old son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, has been named an "honorary citizen" of Kurchaloy district. It is the latest in a series of awards and honorary titles received by the head of Chechnya's son, who has accumulated dozens of distinctions since autumn 2023.

Pashinyan says Armenia may replace Russian operator of its railways
Economy
Pashinyan says Armenia may replace Russian operator of its railways
14 August 2026

Armenia is considering fully or partially replacing the Russian company that operates the country's railway network, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said. Yerevan hopes to resolve the issue with Moscow through compromise rather than taking what he described as "sharp decisions".

Stavropol Region Resident Sentenced to Correctional Labor for Desecrating Soviet Soldiers' Mass Grave
Society
Stavropol Region Resident Sentenced to Correctional Labor for Desecrating Soviet Soldiers' Mass Grave
14 August 2026

A court in the Stavropol Region sentenced a 40-year-old resident of the village of Staroizobilnenskaya to ten months of correctional labor for desecrating a mass grave of Soviet soldiers.

AI-generated personas supported
Politics
AI-generated personas supported "Georgian Dream": researchers identify 230 suspicious Facebook accounts
14 August 2026

A network of 230 Facebook accounts featuring photos likely generated by neural networks has been discovered in Georgia. These accounts were used to create the appearance of widespread support for the ruling "Georgian Dream" party and its chairman, Irakli Kobakhidze. Researchers from the "Myth Detector" platform reached this conclusion.