Caucasian Knot

Caucasian Knot "Caucasian Knot" - English Portal from Кавказский Узел 18 +

18 + The "Caucasian Knot" – the English version of the Russian news portal 'Kavkazsky Uzel' – provides the global media and human rights community with a free and independent source of information about developments in the Caucasus region. The site is dedicated to informing the global community about human rights violations, the situation in armed conflict zones, cases of ethnic or political discr

imination and the problems facing refugees across the entire Caucasian region of Southern Russia, Northern and South Caucasus.

A person was injured in a drone attack in the Volgograd region.A drone attack in the Volgograd region shattered windows ...
12/10/2025

A person was injured in a drone attack in the Volgograd region.

A drone attack in the Volgograd region shattered windows in several homes, injuring a man with shards of glass. A drone attack was also recorded in the Rostov region.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on October 9, a drone attack in the Rodionovo-Nesvetaysky District of the Rostov Region damaged two private homes, and in the Matveyevo-Kurgan District, several houses and five cars were damaged. That night, several fuel and energy facilities in the Volgograd Region caught fire.

A "massive drone attack" occurred in the Volgograd region last night, the regional administration reported on its Telegram channel.

More:

A drone attack in the Volgograd region shattered windows in several homes, injuring a man with shards of glass. A drone attack was also recorded in the Rostov region.

The prize draw continued Kadyrov's practice of influencing the voting resultsRamzan Kadyrov's promise of prizes to voter...
12/10/2025

The prize draw continued Kadyrov's practice of influencing the voting results

Ramzan Kadyrov's promise of prizes to voters who voted for the image of "Grozny-City" on the 500-ruble banknote became a tool of influence, similar to the use of administrative resources in the Chechen elections.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on October 10, Ramzan Kadyrov announced a giveaway of ten iPhone 17s among those who voted four times (on VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, by email, and on Gosuslugi) for the image of "Grozny-City" on the back of the 500-ruble note and posted about it on social media.

More:

Ramzan Kadyrov's promise of prizes to voters who voted for the image of "Grozny-City" on the 500-ruble banknote became a tool of influence, similar to the use of administrative resources in the Chechen elections.

The court refused to release Shahin ShykhlinskiThe Sverdlovsk Regional Court remanded Shahin Shykhlinski, head of the Az...
11/10/2025

The court refused to release Shahin Shykhlinski

The Sverdlovsk Regional Court remanded Shahin Shykhlinski, head of the Azerbaijan-Ural organization, in custody, rejecting an appeal to reduce his pretrial detention.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," Shahin Shykhlinski, chairman of the Sverdlovsk public national-cultural organization "Azerbaijan-Ural" and former head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Urals, was detained and taken to Yekaterinburg . The Verkh-Isetsky District Court of Yekaterinburg extended his pretrial detention until December 30. Before his arrest, he appealed to President Ilham Aliyev for assistance and indicated that he was staying in the guest house at the Azerbaijani embassy in Moscow.

More:

The Sverdlovsk Regional Court remanded Shahin Shykhlinski, head of the Azerbaijan-Ural organization, in custody, rejecting an appeal to reduce his pretrial detention.

Grozny-City became the leader in the voting after Kadyrov announced a lotteryChechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced a g...
11/10/2025

Grozny-City became the leader in the voting after Kadyrov announced a lottery

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced a giveaway of ten iPhone 17s among those who vote four times for the image of "Grozny-City" on the 500-ruble banknote and post the news on social media. In the online vote on the Central Bank's website, "Grozny-City" beat out "Elbrus" by 17,000 votes.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," the "Russian Community" declared the idea of ​​depicting "Grozny-City" or Mount Elbrus on the new 500-ruble banknote "ideological sabotage ." Blogger Max Divnich, who clashed with "Akhmat," urged his followers to vote for Elbrus over Grozny. Regional leaders urged residents to participate in the symbol selection process, while social media users called the competition far-fetched . Several symbols will be used on each side of the 500-ruble banknote, and the winner of the vote will not necessarily occupy the central spot, the Bank of Russia explained. Ramzan Kadyrov called on residents of the republic to more actively support "Grozny-City," and within 24 hours, the gap between this symbol and Mount Elbrus had narrowed threefold.

More:

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced a giveaway of ten iPhone 17s among those who vote four times for the image of "Grozny-City" on the 500-ruble banknote and post the news on social media. In the online vote on the Central Bank's website, "Grozny-City" beat out "Elbrus" by 17,000 votes.

Moscow and Baku each released one detainee after the presidential meetingSputnik Azerbaijan executive director Igor Kart...
11/10/2025

Moscow and Baku each released one detainee after the presidential meeting

Sputnik Azerbaijan executive director Igor Kartavykh and one of the Azerbaijanis arrested in Russia have been released. The decision was agreed upon before the meeting between Putin and Aliyev in Dushanbe.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," the first meeting in a long time between Russian and Azerbaijani leaders Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev took place on October 9 in Dushanbe. Two missiles fired by Russia's air defense system did not directly hit the AZAL plane, but exploded several meters away, Putin stated during the meeting. The preconditions for resolving the diplomatic crisis between Russia and Azerbaijan were Moscow's recognition of responsibility for the downing of the AZAL plane and the payment of compensation. Putin's statement in Dushanbe on this issue paved the way for a normalization of relations in the interests of both sides, analysts noted.

More:

Sputnik Azerbaijan executive director Igor Kartavykh and one of the Azerbaijanis arrested in Russia have been released. The decision was agreed upon before the meeting between Putin and Aliyev in Dushanbe.

Voting for a design on the ruble banknote exposed the flaws in Kadyrov's ideology.The idea of ​​depicting "Grozny-City" ...
10/10/2025

Voting for a design on the ruble banknote exposed the flaws in Kadyrov's ideology.

The idea of ​​depicting "Grozny-City" on the 500-ruble banknote, which the "Russian Community" is campaigning against, is presented by Kadyrov as a symbol of the success of the imperial project, while both sides in the conflict are concerned only with their own prestige and influence, and not with state unity.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," the "Russian Community" declared the idea of ​​depicting "Grozny-City" or Mount Elbrus on the new 500-ruble banknote "ideological sabotage ." Blogger Max Divnich, who had clashed with "Akhmat," urged his followers to vote for Elbrus over Grozny. Regional leaders called on residents to participate in the symbol selection process, while social media users called the debate far-fetched .

Voting began on October 1st. It will last two weeks and conclude on October 14th at 12:00 PM Moscow time. The results will influence the final design of the banknote.

The fight against the inclusion of this image on the banknote led to the consolidation of various groups of Russian nationalists against the backdrop of the protests, noted Alexander Verkhovsky, head of the SOVA* research center . "It would be a sin for them not to unite on such an occasion," he emphasized. However, he characterized their views not so much as anti-Caucasian, since "Elbrus is also quite a Caucasian symbol," but as anti-Kadyrov.

The expert considered the use of terms like "pan-Islamist lobby" and "ideological sabotage" by members of the "Russian Community" an attempt to "increase the temperature" of tension. "They like to add something poignant to every public statement," Verkhovsky stated.

He also didn't rule out the possibility that the nationalists fighting against this version of the five-hundred-ruble note are seriously concerned about Chechnya's growing recognition. "Those who take out the money and look at what's on it will indeed see 'Grozny-City,' and this will increase Chechnya's visibility on a national scale," the expert noted. The involvement of wrestler Max Divnich in the conflict, in his view, merely continues his ongoing spats with Chechen officials.

More:

The idea of ​​depicting "Grozny-City" on the 500-ruble banknote, which the "Russian Community" is campaigning against, is presented by Kadyrov as a symbol of the success of the imperial project, while both sides in the conflict are concerned only with their own prestige and influence, and not wi...

The Prosecutor General's Office linked Momotov to prostitution in Marton hotels.Viktor Momotov, who has headed the Counc...
10/10/2025

The Prosecutor General's Office linked Momotov to prostitution in Marton hotels.

Viktor Momotov, who has headed the Council of Judges of Russia since 2016, resigned from his post amid a lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor General's Office seeking the confiscation of his assets. The office maintains that Momotov's position was a cover for the illegal activities of Marton Hotels.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on September 27, the High Qualification Collegium of Judges of the Russian Federation terminated the powers of Supreme Court Judge Viktor Momotov, Chairman of the Council of Judges, based on his resignation. Momotov resigned after becoming a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor General's Office to seize property, some of which is located in the Southern Federal District. Co-defendants in the lawsuit include Andrey Marchenko, owner of the Marton hotel chain, and his son Ivan, both of whom were arrested in Krasnodar in September.

More:

Viktor Momotov, who has headed the Council of Judges of Russia since 2016, resigned from his post amid a lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor General's Office seeking the confiscation of his assets. The office maintains that Momotov's position was a cover for the illegal activities of Marton Hotels.

Kadyrov boasted about his daughter's diploma.Vladimir Putin awarded Ramzan Kadyrov's daughter, Khadizhat, an honorary di...
10/10/2025

Kadyrov boasted about his daughter's diploma.

Vladimir Putin awarded Ramzan Kadyrov's daughter, Khadizhat, an honorary diploma for her active participation in the preparation and holding of socially significant events.

Members of the Kadyrov clan have received over 150 awards since the start of the military operation in Ukraine. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has received at least 31 awards, with his son Adam second and his daughter Aishat third.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced today that "Russian President Vladimir Putin, by his decree, awarded Khadizhat, the granddaughter of the first president of the Chechen Republic, Hero of Russia Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov, with an honorary diploma from the President of the Russian Federation," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

More:

Vladimir Putin awarded Ramzan Kadyrov's daughter, Khadizhat, an honorary diploma for her active participation in the preparation and holding of socially significant events.

Putin acknowledged the explosion of air defense missiles near the AZAL planeTwo missiles fired by Russia's air defense s...
10/10/2025

Putin acknowledged the explosion of air defense missiles near the AZAL plane

Two missiles fired by Russia's air defense system did not directly hit the AZAL plane, but exploded several meters away, Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Ilham Aliyev.

On December 28, 2024, Vladimir Putin called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and apologized "for the tragic incident" involving the AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines) plane "occurring in Russian airspace." On December 29, Aliyev publicly demanded that Russia admit responsibility for the plane crash, and on January 6, he criticized the Russian authorities for refusing to admit responsibility and demanded that those responsible for the crash be punished.

Vladimir Putin suggested that Ilham Aliyev begin their talks in Dushanbe by discussing the situation surrounding the AZAL plane crash. The Russian president reminded his Azerbaijani counterpart that he had apologized for the crash occurring in Russia's skies. The Russian leader reiterated his condolences to the families of those killed in the AZAL plane crash, noting that Russia is providing full cooperation to the investigation into the crash, Kommersant reports.

Two missiles fired by Russia's air defense system did not directly hit the AZAL plane, but exploded several meters away, Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Ilham Aliyev.

According to the Russian president, the plane was most likely hit by debris rather than submunitions. He noted that the crash was partly due to the presence of a Ukrainian drone in the sky, RBK reports.

More: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/68938

The South Ossetian prosecutor's office has promised to appeal the case of Dzhabiev's death.According to the head of the ...
09/10/2025

The South Ossetian prosecutor's office has promised to appeal the case of Dzhabiev's death.

According to the head of the department, Grigory Sobaev, the prosecutor's office requested a harsher sentence for the security forces accused of Inal Dzhabiev's death.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on October 2, the Tskhinvali City Court found all defendants in the case of Inal Dzhabiev's death guilty. Five of them were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to five years: three (Dzhumber Bibilov, Alan Bagayev, and Andrei Dzhioyev) were arrested in the courtroom, and two others were given credit for time served in custody. The court imposed fines on two former security officials, but released them from payment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. After the verdict was announced, about 10 relatives of the convicted men gathered in the central square in Tskhinvali.

More:

According to the head of the department, Grigory Sobaev, the prosecutor's office requested a harsher sentence for the security forces accused of Inal Dzhabiev's death.

The number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan has approached 400.The updated list of political prisoners in Azerbaijan...
08/10/2025

The number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan has approached 400.

The updated list of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, compiled by human rights activists, includes 392 individuals. Over the past four months, 17 people have been added to the list. The list's authors identified the active persecution of women for political reasons as a new trend.

As the " Caucasian Knot " reported, in 2024, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan exceeded 300 for the first time since the early 2000s. On February 12, 2025, the Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan published a new list of political prisoners, including 357 names, and on June 10, the updated list included 375 people. The largest increase in prisoners occurred over the past year, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report " Key Points on the Record Number of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan ." However, Azerbaijani authorities deny the existence of political prisoners in the country.

More:

The updated list of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, compiled by human rights activists, includes 392 individuals. Over the past four months, 17 people have been added to the list. The list's authors identified the active persecution of women for political reasons as a new trend.

Adam Kadyrov opened a sports complex named after himself in Chechnya.The Dustum sports complex, opened in the village of...
08/10/2025

Adam Kadyrov opened a sports complex named after himself in Chechnya.

The Dustum sports complex, opened in the village of Gvardeyskoye in the Nadterechny District, is named after Adam Kadyrov, the third son of the Chechen leader. The complex was opened personally by Adam Kadyrov, who became an "honorary citizen" of the district.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," by the age of 17, Adam Kadyrov had received the positions of curator of the Russian Special Forces University, assistant to the head of Chechnya, curator of the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs, secretary of the Chechen Security Council, and curator of aid to Palestine. On September 19, his father also assigned him to oversee the payment of property taxes by municipal organizations.

More:

The Dustum sports complex, opened in the village of Gvardeyskoye in the Nadterechny District, is named after Adam Kadyrov, the third son of the Chechen leader. The complex was opened personally by Adam Kadyrov, who became an "honorary citizen" of the district.

Address

Moscow

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Caucasian Knot posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Caucasian Knot:

Share

Our Story

The "Caucasian Knot" – the English version of the Russian news portal 'Kavkazsky Uzel' – provides the global media and human rights community with a free and independent source of information about developments in the Caucasus region. The site is dedicated to informing the global community about human rights violations, the situation in armed conflict zones, cases of ethnic or political discrimination and the problems facing refugees across the entire Caucasian region of Southern Russia, Northern and South Caucasus.