Georgia Burns Putin's Portrait on Anniversary of 2008 Conflict

17 years ago, in August 2008, an armed conflict between Russia and Georgia began. As a result, more than 400 Georgian citizens, including civilians, were killed, and tens of thousands were displaced.

On the anniversary of these tragic events, a portrait of Vladimir Putin was burned in Gori, a city that was one of the first to be hit by Russian air strikes.

The conflict that unfolded around the Tskhinvali region and lasted for five days ended with the signing of a ceasefire agreement, but left a deep mark on the history of relations between the two countries. Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia led to the severance of diplomatic relations between Tbilisi and Moscow.

Последние новости
Vardanyan's family claims he was prevented from contacting the ombudsman
Human rights
Vardanyan's family claims he was prevented from contacting the ombudsman
16 March 2026

Relatives of convicted former Karabakh state minister, former Russian citizen, and billionaire Ruben Vardanyan reported that he was prevented from completing his appeal to Azerbaijan's Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva. During a telephone conversation with his family on March 13, the call was forcibly terminated, preventing him from delivering his public message.

Ingushetia has declared three days off in honor of Eid al-Fitr
Society
Ingushetia has declared three days off in honor of Eid al-Fitr
16 March 2026

In honor of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, March 19, 20, and 21 have been declared days off in Ingushetia. According to the head of the republic, Makhmud-Ali Klimatov, this decision was made to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which began on February 17.

The European Union has once again emphasized that Georgia is moving in the
Politics
The European Union has once again emphasized that Georgia is moving in the "wrong direction"
16 March 2026

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, expressed concern about the situation in Georgia, which is "taking a serious turn," emphasizing that the country's government is "moving in the wrong direction." This statement was made ahead of a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU member states.

North Caucasus regions lead in official unemployment rates
Economy
North Caucasus regions lead in official unemployment rates
16 March 2026

According to the results of the fourth quarter of 2025, the North Caucasus regions ranked last in Russia's unemployment rankings, according to a RIA Novosti study. Ingushetia had the worst rate: 25.5% of the economically active population was unemployed, and the job search period lasted 5.8 months.