The head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, urged Dagestanis and Azerbaijanis "not to fall for provocations" amid difficulties in relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.

"There are many people from Azerbaijan in our republic who consider Dagestan their home. Our ties are more than geographical. I appeal to everyone: both Dagestanis and our Azerbaijani brothers - do not let a wedge be driven between us. Do not give in to emotions, do not fall for provocations, do not stoop to everyday nationalism. Trust only official and verified information!" Melikov wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to him, some enemies do not want stability in Dagestan, Azerbaijan and Russia.

"We have already seen more than once how external forces are trying to destabilize the situation with the help of others. Ultimately, they failed because the wisdom, unity and responsiveness of our people proved to be above these dirty games,” the head of the region said.

Recall that on June 27, as part of an operation by Russian security forces in Yekaterinburg, two ethnic Azerbaijanis were killed and about 50 people were detained. Six of them were sent to pretrial detention, many were tortured. A forensic examination in Azerbaijan established that the cause of death of the two Safarov brothers was post-traumatic shock caused by multiple rib fractures and other serious injuries. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan opened a criminal case on the fact of torture and premeditated murder with particular cruelty of two citizens of the country and persons of Azerbaijani origin by Russian law enforcement officers.

On June 30, Azerbaijani police detained Igor Kartavykh, editor-in-chief of the Russian state agency Sputnik Azerbaijan, and editor-in-chief Yevgeny Belousov in Baku. They were called FSB agents illegally working in Baku and arrested. In response, Russia detained a number of Azerbaijani businessmen and stripped ethnic Azerbaijanis of their citizenship without explanation.