Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey said that Moscow intended to take full control over the South Caucasus

Ukraine's Ambassador to Ankara, Nariman Dzhelal, said that Ukraine's resistance prevented the implementation of Russian plans to expand influence in the region, including in relation to the Turkic republics and Turkey.

In an interview with Turkiye Gazetesi, he noted that Ukraine thwarted Russia's plans to quickly seize the country, which allowed Azerbaijan to regain control over Karabakh and the Syrian people to continue their resistance.

"If Moscow had not gotten bogged down in Ukraine, its next goal would have been the Turkic republics, as well as full control over the Caucasus," the diplomat is sure.

He also warned that Russia's plans still include control over the straits and even the occupation of Istanbul, which poses a direct threat to Turkey.

Former Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelal previously lived in Crimea. He was arrested in 2021 on suspicion of blowing up a gas pipeline in the village of Perevalnoye on orders from Ukrainian intelligence. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The defendant did not admit his guilt. Two other defendants in the case, brothers Asan and Aziz Akhtemov, were sentenced to 15 and 13 years in prison, respectively.

In June 2024, Ukraine returned Nariman Dzhelal as part of the exchange process with the Russian Federation. He was later appointed ambassador to Turkey.

Последние новости
New car sales in Russia’s North Caucasus fall by 21%
Economy
New car sales in Russia’s North Caucasus fall by 21%
15 August 2026

New car sales across Russia’s North Caucasus fell by 21% in July compared with the same month last year. The sharpest decline was recorded in Dagestan, where the new-car market nearly halved over the year.
Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
Society
Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
15 August 2026

Queues remain at the Russian-Georgian border following temporary restrictions on traffic through the Verkhny Lars crossing. The situation has drawn additional attention amid rumours circulating in Russia about a possible new mobilisation, recalling the autumn of 2022, when large numbers of men eligible for military service left the country through the crossing. There is no official evidence linking the current restrictions to any mobilisation measures.
Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
Society
Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
15 August 2026

In Dagestan, 82,000 people have received compensation following the devastating spring floods — less than 30% of the residents who applied for assistance. In neighbouring Chechnya, authorities have reported paying out 726 million roubles to those affected.
Georgian opposition insists Russia orchestrated fuel supplies to Abkhazia
Politics
Georgian opposition insists Russia orchestrated fuel supplies to Abkhazia
15 August 2026

Fuel shipments from the Tbilisi-controlled part of Georgia to Abkhazia have sparked a new political conflict in the country. The opposition believes that Moscow and the ruling "Georgian Dream" party are behind the gasoline shipment. Authorities, however, insist that the fuel was supplied by private business and that the trade itself does not violate Georgian law.