In Abkhazia, the population began to receive electricity for only three hours a day
From December 11, residents of Abkhazia will receive electricity for about 3 hours a day. This is due to the suspension of the Inguri hydroelectric power station due to critically low water levels.
 
From November 1, four-hour restrictions on the supply of electricity were in effect in the republic. To partially cover the deficit, Abkhazia is purchasing electricity from Russia.
 
Recently, the Prime Minister of Abkhazia Valery Bganba asked the Russian government to resume co-financing the salaries of public sector employees. The authorities of the unrecognized republic stopped paying salaries to public sector employees, new power outage schedules were introduced on December 9, and schools and kindergartens will be closed on December 10. There is also a shortage of funds for salaries of security forces.
 
Recently, Abkhazia refused to conclude an economic agreement with Russia. The parliament of the self-proclaimed republic voted against ratifying the agreement with the Russian Federation on investments. Earlier, its possible adoption caused mass protests. This agreement was the subject of harsh criticism from the opposition. Many residents feared that the arrival of Russian business in the unrecognized republic would leave them without work.
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Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
Society
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
18 March 2026

Former Federation Council member Rauf Arashukov from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony in Orenburg, expressed a desire to be transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia. The reason for this transfer is the fact that his father, Raul Arashukov, is also serving a life sentence there for stealing gas and organizing two murders.

The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Society
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
18 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr, one of the key Islamic holidays that concludes Ramadan, will begin on the night of March 19-20. Most republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared the holiday non-working.

Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.