Ukrainian journalist responds to Zakharova's criticism over his visit to Azerbaijan

Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon responded to the words of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. The day before, she called him an "extremist".

Gordon was harshly criticized by the Russian diplomat after he took part in the Shusha media forum and asked a question to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

In his Telegram channel, the journalist called Zakharova a "press alcoholic" and said that she "does the right thing by watching" his interview. He also emphasized that "all neighbors and former allies are fleeing from your stinking fascist Russia of their own free will" and accused Russian propagandists of responsibility for the war in Ukraine.

"I am sure that Russian propagandists like you, Solovyov, Skabeeva and others - your entire camarilla of scoundrels who have been fueling the war against Ukraine for years and justifying war criminals - bear the same responsibility for the murders of thousands of Ukrainians and will sooner or later end up in prison," Gordon said.

The journalist also recalled that Ilham Aliyev advised Ukrainians at the forum to "never agree to occupation."

Последние новости
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.

Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.

Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
Human rights
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
16 October 2026

Six people convicted in connection with the events of October 4, 2025, in Tbilisi have been set free following the conclusion of plea agreements with the prosecutor's office. This was reported on October 16 by the television channel TV Pirveli.

UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
Ecology
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
16 October 2026

On October 16, a Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity is taking place in Yerevan, organized as part of the preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Participants are discussing how to accelerate the fulfillment of international commitments regarding biodiversity conservation and prompt more decisive action from governments.