The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned its ambassador to Armenia, Sergei Kopyrkin, to Moscow for consultations. According to the ministry's statement, this step is a direct response to the Armenian leadership's desire to strengthen ties with the European Union.
In Kabardino-Balkaria, a court fined Alina Taismakulova and Asiyat Kaigermazova, residents of the Chereksky District. They were charged with organizing a mass rally. Police classified their actions as organizing a motor rally, which took place on March 28 as part of the Balkar Revival Day celebrations.
At least 50 cars, decorated with Balkar flags, are said to have participated in the rally, which was coordinated in a closed WhatsApp group.
The March 28 motor rally itself received official approval from the republican and municipal authorities. The event began at the Chereksky District administration building and continued through the Cherek Gorge. The basis for the charges against Taismakulova and Kaigermazova was a response from the Ministry of Nationalities, which stated that no notification of the event had been received.
Balkar People's Revival Day in Kabardino-Balkaria is an official commemoration commemorating the return of the Balkars from their forced 13-year exile. Their deportation began on March 8, 1944, when approximately 37,000 people were sent to Central Asia.