The riots of 2023, which led to the disruption of the Makhachkala airport, became a striking example of the West’s attempts to shake up the situation in the North Caucasus Federal District. Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev announced this at a meeting in Ingushetia on national security issues.

According to the speaker, the United States and its allies are trying to launch separatist processes in the North Caucasus with the help of provocations and disinformation. In 2023, 16 terrorist attacks were prevented there, and the activities of 149 groups – supporters of international terrorist organizations – were suppressed.

Let us recall that on October 29, 2023, hundreds of people broke into Makhachkala airport, trying to find passengers on a transit flight from Tel Aviv. Those gathered opposed Israel's actions in Palestine. Criminal cases related to the riots were opened against more than 140 people. In total, almost 400 people were detained.