Human Rights Watch reports an increase in cases of in absentia convictions in Azerbaijan. HRW Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, Giorgi Gogia, stated that Baku is intensifying its campaign of "cross-border repression."

US Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan signals two important changes: the diminishing significance of Moscow's declared spheres of influence and the weakening of Russia's position in the South Caucasus, writes the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). The center emphasizes that, despite the Trump administration's desire to improve relations with Russia, the United States is confirming its intention to play an active role in the region, which the Kremlin considers its "near abroad."

In Moscow, activists have installed a new plaque on Anna Politkovskaya's home for the eleventh time, commemorating the destruction of a memorial plaque in her honor. The plaque reads: "Here in 2026, neo-Nazis destroyed a memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya."

Uzbek citizen Zhavokhir Utkirov was sentenced to 20 years in a maximum-security penal colony for plotting an attack on the Stavropol Krai government building. The ruling was handed down by the Southern District Military Court.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with North Ossetia Head Sergei Menyailo in the Kremlin. The main topic of discussion was the republic's socioeconomic progress.

Adam Kadyrov, the third son of the Chechen leader, has been discharged from Moscow's Botkin Hospital, according to the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel. It is reported that he spent 25 days recovering from the accident.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Armenia and Azerbaijan, as sovereign states, are free to build relations with any country, including the United States. This statement came in response to US Vice President J.D. Vance's visits to Baku and Yerevan.

Ingushetia leads the North Caucasus Federal District in housing affordability. According to Rosstat data for the fourth quarter of 2025, the average price per square meter in the republic was only 60,000 rubles on the new-build market and 61,000 rubles on the resale market.

Mirzabeg Murtazaliev, a 24-year-old system administrator from the Dagestani village of Botlikh, is under investigation under a new article of the Russian Criminal Code on confidential cooperation with foreigners. His case has been referred to the Supreme Court of Dagestan.

US Vice President James David Vance arrived in Baku from Yerevan today. Following an official reception ceremony and a one-on-one meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, they held expanded intergovernmental talks.