The Memorial Human Rights Center has recognized Georgian citizen Irakli Khufeniya as a political prisoner. In June, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found him guilty of publicly justifying terrorism and sentenced him to two years in prison.

Grigol Liluashvili, the former head of Georgia's State Security Service, has been arrested on bribery charges.

Kabardino-Balkarian Governor Kazbek Kokov held a joint meeting of the Anti-Terrorism Commission and the Operational Headquarters, where they discussed security issues during the New Year holidays, countering terrorist ideology, and preventative work with youth.

Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, was awarded the honorary badge "For Achievements in Sports." The award was given for his enormous contribution to the development and popularization of sports in the Chechen Republic.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev missed the informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg due to a busy work schedule. Aliyev's administration also noted that his absence from the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 21 was due to Azerbaijan not being a member of the organization.

At a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon, the Russian President expressed deep condolences over the tragic death of a Tajik boy at a school in Odintsovo.

Based on the results of the first 11 months of 2025, the leading regions in new company and individual entrepreneur registration activity were Mari El (a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2024), Chuvashia (24%), and Dagestan (20%).

The court has extended the pretrial detention of Shahin Shikhlinsky, the former head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Yekaterinburg. He will be held in pretrial detention until at least May 31, 2026.

Azerbaijan has enacted an amnesty law marking the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty. This measure will affect approximately 20,000 people and will be implemented within four months.

The final ranking of Russian regions' socioeconomic development for 2025, compiled by RIA Novosti, revealed a significant lag in the North Caucasus republics. Ingushetia ranked last, 85th. Karachay-Cherkessia (81st), North Ossetia (78th), Chechnya (77th), Kabardino-Balkaria (75th), and Dagestan (74th) also ranked low.