The mother of 8-year-old Khizir Derbichev from Ingushetia, who drowned in the Sunzha River while rescuing a friend, commented on the tragedy. She expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in the search and offered support.

"The people who came. I am very grateful to them for responding. So many people heard about him. They all came out to look for him. Everyone. Even those who didn't know him. Yes, this is a difficult date. Now it has become a memorable date, a date that is honored," she said in an interview with the Magas National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.

Despite their deep grief, the Derbichev family is proud of the boy's heroic act, risking his life to save a friend.

On June 15, Khizir Derbichev was swept away by the strong currents of the Sunzha River. According to eyewitnesses, the boy was near the river with two friends. One of them, Adam, tripped and fell into the water. He managed to cling to a branch, but Khizir, who rushed to his aid, died.

Tens of thousands of volunteers from across the North Caucasus and other regions of Russia participated in the search for the young man. Khizir's body was found in the city of Sunzha on the evening of June 22, the eighth day of the search. A few hours later, a funeral was held, attended by thousands of people.

Following the search operation, a proposal was made on social media to declare June 15 as Caucasus Unity Day. The head of the republic, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, assured that Khizir's name would be immortalized.