March 8 – anniversary of the deportation of the Balkar people
Today, the Balkar people remember the Stalinist deportation that began 81 years ago. On March 8, 1944, 37 thousand people – mostly old people, women and children – were sent to Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
 
Almost 40% of the settlers did not return home after rehabilitation. There is not a single Balkar family that did not bury their loved ones on the way or in the settlement in Central Asia and Kazakhstan.
 
Officially, the deportation was justified by the alleged facts of participation of representatives of the Balkar people in collaborationist formations that fought on the side of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Balkars were allowed to return to their land only on March 28, 1957. This day is celebrated in Kabardino-Balkaria as Revival Day.
Последние новости
Kadyrov’s close associate once again heads the Chechen government; his son and son-in-law retain deputy prime minister posts
Politics
Kadyrov’s close associate once again heads the Chechen government; his son and son-in-law retain deputy prime minister posts
8 October 2026

On October 8, the Chechen parliament approved the nomination of Magomed Daudov as Chairman of the Republic's Government. The session was attended by the Head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.
Memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya installed yesterday destroyed today
Society
Memorial plaque to Anna Politkovskaya installed yesterday destroyed today
8 October 2026

A makeshift memorial dedicated to journalist Anna Politkovskaya has been destroyed outside the Moscow building on Lesnaya Street where she lived and was killed. The memorial had appeared the previous day, on the 20th anniversary of her murder.
Human rights
"A sentence for one becomes a sentence for all": Crimean Tatar speaks about the families of political prisoners
8 October 2026

Abdulmedzhit Seytumerov, a political prisoner from Crimea, described in a letter from a Russian prison how the lives of Crimean Tatar families change when their loved ones are sentenced to long terms of imprisonment. His wife, Amina Seytumerova, published the message on Facebook.
European Parliament Approves Resolution Against Ban on Opposition Parties in Georgia
Politics
European Parliament Approves Resolution Against Ban on Opposition Parties in Georgia
8 October 2026

On October 8, the European Parliament adopted a resolution regarding attempts by Georgia's ruling party to secure a ban on opposition parties in the country. The document was supported by 445 MEPs, with 37 voting against. The resolution was drafted following a debate on the situation in Georgia held the previous day.