Adam Kadyrov, Secretary of the Chechen Security Council and son of the head of the republic, received another award from his father – the Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov Memorial Medal. It was presented "for significant contribution to ensuring the security, stability, and prosperity of the homeland."

Georgian citizen Tamara Mearakishvili, imprisoned in South Ossetia on charges of "espionage," has gone on a "dry" hunger strike: she is now refusing not only food but also water and medication. Her lawyer, Alan Bazzaev, who visited her, reported this, noting his client's deteriorating health.

Armenia seeks to deepen cooperation with the European Union but does not intend to sever ties with Russia, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has warned citizens against participating in the armed conflict in Ukraine and other countries, reminding them of the criminal liability for such actions.

An incident involving the son of an official in Dagestan led to his father's resignation. In the Kumtorkalinsky district, Daniyal Absalamov, the son of the chairman of the district council, Bammat Absalamov, and a friend, while intoxicated, vandalized a local store.

Georgia's Human Rights Commissioner, Levan Ioseliani, stated that he could easily become a "star" of one or more opposition political forces or NGOs, in which case he would repeat or amplify their assessments, but that this is not the Public Defender's role. He emphasized that his position does not entail defending any specific group or disseminating its narratives.

Human rights activists in Kabardino-Balkaria have expressed concerns about the possibility of schoolchildren being forced to abandon the study of their native languages. These concerns arose after the Ministry of Education refused to provide data on the number of Kabardian and Balkar students who chose Russian as their native language.

New Year's trees and winter bouquets are the cheapest in the North Caucasus. According to research, the average Christmas tree bill in the North Caucasus Federal District is 3,300 rubles, significantly lower than in other federal districts, especially compared to the Far Eastern Federal District, where the average price reaches 7,000 rubles.

By January 1, 2026, Turkey plans to open its border with Armenia to citizens of other countries and holders of diplomatic passports, but has put forward a number of conditions and proposals. This was reported by the Armenian newspaper Hraparak.