Hope Remains: The Search for Khizir Derbichev from Ingushetia Continues for Five Days

Thousands of rescuers and volunteers in Ingushetia and Chechnya are continuing their search for eight-year-old Khizir Derbichev for the fifth day. He was swept away by the Sunzha River.

The search initially began near the village of Yandare in Ingushetia's Nazran District, where the accident occurred. The operation has now expanded to Chechnya along the coastline in the Sernovodsk and Achkhoy-Martan Districts. In addition to hundreds of volunteers, personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Chechen National Guard are participating in the operation, including dog handlers, engineers, divers, and drone specialists.

A total of approximately 6,000 people are involved in the search operation, 4,500 of whom are volunteers. They came from Chechnya, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and other regions. Some are combing the shoreline, others are assisting rescuers on the water.

Furthermore, their support is not limited to those directly involved in the search. Thousands of residents of the North Caucasus republics have come to Ingushetia to share the pain and anxiety of Khizir's family and the entire people of the republic. Many want to be there during these difficult times, expressing words of support and solidarity. Tens of thousands more are following the search with bated breath, praying for the boy, giving alms, and asking the Almighty for a successful outcome, experiencing this tragedy as if it were their own.

As of 12:20 PM on June 19, search operations are ongoing.

An observation post has been established near Sleptsovsk (Ingushetia). Search teams have been organized on the Karabulak side. Participants are lined up with a distance of approximately 3 meters between teams.

Flood control operations are planned for approximately 2:00 PM. When the river level drops to a safe level, search teams will enter the water on command.

As a reminder, a tragedy occurred near the village of Yandare on June 15. A group of children were enjoying the river when one of them began to drown. Eight-year-old Khizir rushed to his friend's aid. He managed to save his friend, but was swept away by the powerful current that prevented him from getting out of the water.

Последние новости
From scientific achievements to environmental stewardship: Ramzan Kadyrov receives a new medal
Politics
From scientific achievements to environmental stewardship: Ramzan Kadyrov receives a new medal
3 November 2026

Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, Alexander Kozlov, has awarded the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, a medal "For Assistance." The award was delivered to the republic by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, who oversees the agro-industrial complex and environmental issues within the government.

Armenia open to dropping mutual claims against Azerbaijan following the signing of a peace treaty
Politics
Armenia open to dropping mutual claims against Azerbaijan following the signing of a peace treaty
3 November 2026

Armenia may withdraw its claims against Azerbaijan—currently under review by international bodies—once a peace agreement is signed. This was stated by Lilit Makunts, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, during a joint session of the standing parliamentary committees.

Akhmat Parts Ways with Cherchesov Following a String of Poor League Results
Sport
Akhmat Parts Ways with Cherchesov Following a String of Poor League Results
3 November 2026

Grozny-based football club Akhmat has announced the departure of head coach Stanislav Cherchesov. The contract was terminated by mutual agreement following a defeat to Dynamo Moscow in the 13th round of the Russian Premier League (RPL).

Putin meets with the head of Dagestan and praises the republic’s residents for their “brilliant participation in the ‘special military operation’”
Society
Putin meets with the head of Dagestan and praises the republic’s residents for their “brilliant participation in the ‘special military operation’”
3 November 2026

Vladimir Putin met with the head of Dagestan, Fedor Shchukin, at the Kremlin, congratulated him on his election, and emphasized the republic’s special significance to Russia. This marks the second meeting between the president and the regional leader in the last two months.