The Russian Foreign Ministry once again reminded about mutual obligations of Armenia and the CSTO

Obligations to Armenia within the CSTO remain unchanged, there are no alternative guarantors of stability for the republic. This was stated by the director of the first department of the CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikael Agasandyan.

"As for Armenia's participation in the general work of the CSTO, the line of moving away from such interaction has now prevailed in Yerevan. This position, as we see it, contradicts the interests of the people of Armenia and significantly weakens national security," he added.

Mikael Agasandyan also announced a series of military exercises of the CSTO countries in Central Asia. According to him, they will be held in the coming weeks on the territory of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Earlier, Armenia stated that it would not participate in the approval of the annual budget of the CSTO and the financing of the organization. On February 23, in an interview with France24, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the freezing of Armenia's participation in the CSTO "due to the failure to implement the collective security treaty with respect to the country." On February 28, he threatened to officially leave the organization.

Последние новости
Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
News
Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
17 October 2026

On the evening of 17 October, a drone alert was declared again in several districts of Krasnodar Krai. The warning covered Anapa, Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk, Abinsky, Krymsky and Temryuksky districts. Earlier in the day, alerts had also been issued in Sochi, Tuapse municipal district and Mostovsky district.

Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
Society
Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
17 October 2026

In the third quarter of 2026, monthly internet traffic to educational websites in Karachay-Cherkessia was 1.3 times higher than in the first quarter. Among users aged over 55, the figure increased fivefold, according to a study by telecommunications operator MegaFon and the Skillbox educational group.

Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
Human rights
Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
17 October 2026

Sergei Sokolov was taken to Russia’s Investigative Committee and held in the building for around three hours, despite having been officially summoned for questioning as a witness. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the incident as a new stage in the pressure on one of Russia’s last independent media outlets.

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.