Two residents of Dagestan died during the Hajj to Mecca

Four Russians, including two residents of Dagestan, died during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The man’s heart gave out, and the woman suffered heatstroke due to a very high temperature - over 50 degrees.

In total, at least 570 pilgrims died during the Hajj this year. Most are from Egypt, as well as Jordan and Tunisia. The main cause of death was lack of access to water and air conditioning.

In total, about 1.8 million pilgrims performed the Hajj this year, of which 1.6 million were foreigners. The total quota for Muslims in Russia was 25 thousand people. Of these, over 15 thousand are in the republics of the North Caucasus. In particular, a quota of 10 thousand places was allocated for Muslims in Dagestan. 3.1 thousand pilgrims went from Chechnya to the Hajj, almost 1.5 thousand from Ingushetia, 400 people from Kabardino-Balkaria, 360 from Karachay-Cherkessia, 180 from North Ossetia. The most expensive tour costs 1.1 million rubles.

Последние новости
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

An Abkhazian resident was convicted for publishing texts about Shamil Basayev
Human rights
An Abkhazian resident was convicted for publishing texts about Shamil Basayev
18 March 2026

The Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Timur Agrba, a resident of Abkhazia, to five and a half years in a general regime penal colony. He was accused of justifying terrorism for his Telegram channel posts, which, according to investigators, glorified Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Dies
Society
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Dies
18 March 2026

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, the spiritual leader who led the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1977, has passed away. News of his death at the age of 93 was announced on March 17 from the intensive care unit of the Caucasus Medical Center.

Georgia's former ombudsman considered his summons to the State Security Service (SSS) to be persecution and refused to appear
Human rights
Georgia's former ombudsman considered his summons to the State Security Service (SSS) to be persecution and refused to appear
17 March 2026

Georgia's former Public Defender, Ucha Nanuashvili, has been summoned to the country's State Security Service (SSS). One of the country's most senior human rights defenders, he now heads the NGO Democracy Research Institute (DRI).