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Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
Society
Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
15 August 2026

Queues remain at the Russian-Georgian border following temporary restrictions on traffic through the Verkhny Lars crossing. The situation has drawn additional attention amid rumours circulating in Russia about a possible new mobilisation, recalling the autumn of 2022, when large numbers of men eligible for military service left the country through the crossing. There is no official evidence linking the current restrictions to any mobilisation measures.

Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
Society
Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
15 August 2026

In Dagestan, 82,000 people have received compensation following the devastating spring floods — less than 30% of the residents who applied for assistance. In neighbouring Chechnya, authorities have reported paying out 726 million roubles to those affected.

“Conviction factory”: Southern Military Court leads Russia in terrorism cases
Human rights
“Conviction factory”: Southern Military Court leads Russia in terrorism cases
15 August 2026

The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued 425 convictions under Russia's "terrorism" laws in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than a third of all such rulings nationwide, according to a study by the human rights project First Department and the independent Parubets Analytics research centre.

17 Ukrainians living for over a year in a basement at the Georgia-Russia border evacuated due to mudslide threat
Human rights
17 Ukrainians living for over a year in a basement at the Georgia-Russia border evacuated due to mudslide threat
14 August 2026

Seventeen Ukrainian citizens, who had been staying for more than a year in the basement of the Georgian "Daryali" checkpoint on the Russian border, were evacuated on August 13 due to the threat of a natural disaster. Following the evacuation, they were not taken away from the border crossing area entirely; instead, they were placed in a truck and transported a few hundred meters to the grounds of a nearby monastery.

Memorial Calls Investigators' Version of Yasin Khalidov’s Disappearance Absurd
Human rights
Memorial Calls Investigators' Version of Yasin Khalidov’s Disappearance Absurd
13 August 2026

A murder investigation has been opened in Chechnya more than a year after the disappearance of 19-year-old Yasin Khalidov.

EU highlights serious human rights concerns in Azerbaijan
Human rights
EU highlights serious human rights concerns in Azerbaijan
13 August 2026

The European Union has highlighted persistent concerns over human rights and democracy in Azerbaijan, pointing to restrictions on independent media and civil society, concerns about judicial independence and problems with the implementation of European Court of Human Rights rulings.

Rosgvardiya claims to have detained two Dagestan residents
Human rights
Rosgvardiya claims to have detained two Dagestan residents "linked to terrorism"
13 August 2026

Rosgvardiya has reported the detention of two local residents in Dagestan whom security forces describe as being "linked to terrorism." The agency did not specify the exact charges brought against the men.

Russia Prosecutes Four Crimean Tatar Women in Hizb ut-Tahrir Case — USCIRF
Human rights
Russia Prosecutes Four Crimean Tatar Women in Hizb ut-Tahrir Case — USCIRF
12 August 2026

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported on four Crimean Tatar women facing prosecution by Russian security forces in occupied Crimea in connection with the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. The women are Esma Nimetullayeva, Nasiba Saidova, Elviza Aliyeva, and Fevziye Osmanova. This was reported by the media outlet ZMINA.

Seventeen years ago, Chechen human rights defender Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband were abducted and killed
Human rights
Seventeen years ago, Chechen human rights defender Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband were abducted and killed
10 August 2026

Seventeen years ago, on Aug. 10, 2009, Chechen human rights defender Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband, Alik Dzhabrailov, were abducted from the office of their charity in Grozny. Their bodies were found the following day, in what remains one of the most prominent unsolved killings of civil society activists in Chechnya.

Khabib Nurmagomedov says support for Palestine cost him sponsorship deals
Human rights
Khabib Nurmagomedov says support for Palestine cost him sponsorship deals
10 August 2026

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says his public support for Palestine has led to financial losses, claiming that several companies ended or declined sponsorship agreements with him and other members of his team.