“Z-military correspondent” denied his words about “TikTok troops” from Chechnya

Vladimir Romanov, who previously stated that on the border with the Kharkov region of Ukraine “TikTok troops are hiding behind the backs of conscripts,” apologized to the Akhmat unit.

On July 5, Vladimir Romanov recorded a video in which, describing the situation in the Belgorod region on the border with the Kharkov region, he said that “conscripts are on the border, and TikTokers are behind them.” Two days later, Romanov noted that he had the opportunity to talk with the commander of the Akhmat unit, Apti Alaudinov, and realized that he was wrong.

“It became absolutely clear to me that the Akhmat units, together with the conscripts, are at zero. The words I said that “Akhmat” is behind the conscripts are incorrect. Incorrect because I relied on information given to me from other sources. For which I apologize to you and to the Akhmat unit,” Romanov apologized.

Последние новости
US Congressman Calls Kobakhidze’s Meeting with Iranian President an “Insult to Trump”
Politics
US Congressman Calls Kobakhidze’s Meeting with Iranian President an “Insult to Trump”
18 October 2026

American Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has criticized Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for holding talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting took place in Yerevan on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).
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.