The People’s Assembly of Karachay-Cherkessia today approved Rashid Temrezov for a new five-year term as head of the republic. Forty-eight of the 50 deputies took part in the secret ballot, and all of them voted for the incumbent, as expected.

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili sang the Ukrainian national anthem during a court hearing in Tbilisi. The politician, who was inside the defendant's cage, used the moment to express his support for Ukraine, as he stated on his Facebook page.

Russia’s North Caucasus regions are taking part in the three-day voting that began today and will run from 18 to 20 September, with elections for the ninth State Duma, regional legislatures and heads of several federal subjects. Observers note that in regions where governors are being elected, the favourites are already known: they are the incumbent republican leaders, who have received the Kremlin administration’s backing in advance and are expected to retain their positions.

Chechen opposition figure Aset Sabdullayeva—also known as Aset Sabb—has been placed on Russia's federal wanted list, *Mediazona* reported. Her details appeared in the Interior Ministry’s database on September 16. According to the outlet, the search was initiated by the FSB directorate for Chechnya.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili stated that Tbilisi does not recognize the South Ossetian presidential elections taking place on September 18.

Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, stated that Armenian authorities are shifting their foreign policy course, distancing themselves from Moscow while expanding cooperation with Western nations. He made these remarks during a meeting of the Presidium of the Security Council’s Scientific-Expert Council.

Another group of fighters has departed from Grozny Airport for the "special military operation" zone. Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, announced this on September 16.
 

Armenia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the country's obligations under the TRIPP project agreement and the provisions of the charter for Donald Trump’s "Peace Council" are consistent with the Constitution. The documents may now be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification.

Martin Galstyan, Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia, stated that a potential increase in the cost of Russian gas could have extremely severe economic consequences for the republic. The regulator factors this possibility into its calculations but does not currently view it as a primary scenario.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has spoken out against the spread of anti-Russian rhetoric within the country. He stated that the authorities intend to prevent such sentiments—which he links to the radical wing of the opposition—from taking root in Georgian society.