Chechnya
Chechen authorities remain silent after accident involving Adam Kadyrov
Information from different sources about the condition of Ramzan Kadyrov’s son differs.
News Stories
Today, 19 January 2026
Today, 19 January 2026
Georgia–Russia Relations
Russia charges Dozhd journalist for saying 20% of Georgia is occupied by Russia
Journalist Valeria Khichigina is being charged with spreading fake news about the Russian army.
Reviews
Review | Repentance — an enduring warning about unchecked power
A single image from Repentance resurfacing at ongoing protests in Georgia captures the film’s critique of totalitarianism.
Georgia
Russia floats plan for ferry route from occupied Mariupol to Batumi
The Ukrainian port city of Mariupol has been occupied by Russia since a destructive battle that killed tens of thousands of civilians in 2022.
Armenia
Armenian court rules Pashinyan-linked bishop be reinstated following dismissal
Bishop Gevorg Saroyan is one of 10 high-ranking clergy members to come out in support of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s reform agenda.
Kabarda–Balkaria
Kabarda–Balkaria authorities arrest teenager on charges of ‘preparing terrorist attack’
The 16-year-old was accused of planning attacks on police in Nalchik.
Armenia–Iran Relations
Armenian police detain seven pro-Iran protesters
The protesters were detained for ‘failing to comply with police orders’.
Daily Brief
Monday, 19 January 2026
Armenia * On Saturday, Interior Minister Narek Sargsyan told Armenpress that seven people protesting against Iran were arrested for failing to comply with police orders. The protesters had wanted to march from the Iranian Embassy in Yerevan to the Blue Mosque, but were not authorised to do so by the authorities, leading the demonstrators to instead begin a sit-in in front of the embassy. * According to his lawyer, the courts have upheld the decision to replace Russian–Armenian tycoon Samvel K
Azerbaijan’s Media Crackdown
‘Calm him down’: the culture of obstruction facing political prisoners like me in Azerbaijan
Detained Azerbaijani journalist Ulviyya Ali writes from prison about her experiences with the ‘culture of obstruction’ and lack of rights faced.
Friday, 16 January 2026
Chechnya
Breaking: Kadyrov’s son Adam reportedly in critical condition after car accident
The opposition-linked Telegram NIYSO has reported that Khamzat Chimaev died of his injuries.
Georgia
Georgian intelligence probes appearance of Gazprom documents on government website as ‘cyberattack’
The investigation likely concerns information about a contract with Russia’s energy giant that was published on the government’s website.
Georgia
Georgian Dream files complaint with BBC over allegations WWI-era chemical was used on protesters
Georgian Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the complaint had been filed directly to the BBC, but added legal action could follow.
Iran
Armenians and Georgians number among killed in Iran protests, reports say
Verifying the information is difficult due to the communications blackout.
Armenia
Solovyov’s suggestion of ‘special military operation’ in Armenia a ‘personal opinion’, Kremlin says
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova added that Vladimir Solovyov’s comments were taken out of context.
Iran
‘Help must reach the people of Iran’ — Iranians demonstrate in Tbilisi and Yerevan
Alongside the protests in their homeland, Iranians in Georgia and Armenia are holding solidarity rallies, filled with anger, grief, and fervent hope.
Armenia
Army chaplains reportedly pressured to join Pashinyan’s Church reform initiative
The Defence Ministry denied the allegations.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s anti-colonialist Baku Initiative Group turns its focus on India’s treatment of Sikhs
The government-linked organisation has primarily focused its ire on Armenia’s allies, namely France.
Chechnya
Chechen Parliament approves appointment of Kadyrov’s son as deputy prime minister
He also remains Chechnya’s minister for physical culture and sport.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s SOCAR to begin supplying gas to Austria and Germany
Gas will reach the countries through existing routes to Italy.
The Caucasus
What can the Caucasus expect in 2026? Our staff gives their takes
OC Media’s staff members have come together to share their predictions for this coming year.
Daily Brief
Friday, 16 January 2025
Regional * Armenia and Azerbaijan conducted a joint inspection of the current condition of the Yeraskh–Sadarak railway section on Thursday. According to the Armenian authorities, the inspection ‘aimed to assess the technical suitability of the railway section for the movement of specialised railway construction equipment in order to implement comprehensive measures for the restoration of the infrastructure’. Armenia * Five people, including senior officials from the State Revenue Committee
Thursday, 15 January 2026
Ingushetia
Ingush Head Kalimatov claims authorities settled 6 blood feuds and 40 conflicts
The claim by Ingush Head Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov was based on the results of the work of the republic’s Reconciliation Commission.
OC Insider
What would an Iranian revolution mean for the Caucasus?
Whatever happens in Iran will likely have wide-reaching spillover effects in the Caucasus.
Ingushetia
Ingush woman who fled domestic violence detained in Moscow
Aina Mankieva’s mother has accused her of theft in an attempt to force police to detain Mankieva and escort her home.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan says Nagorno-Karabakh leaders and ‘those who committed crimes’ to remain in custody
On Wednesday, Azerbaijan released four Armenian prisoners, prompting discussion that more could follow.
Armenia
Iranian demonstrators questioned in Armenia as Iran slams authorities for allowing protests to continue
The Iranians have been holding protests in Yerevan since last week.
The Caucasus
US suspends immigrant visa processing for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia
The suspension has affected a total of 75 countries — including Russia.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 15 January 2025
Armenia * Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, criticised the daily protests held by Iranians near their embassy in Yerevan during a press briefing on Wednesday, saying that ‘despite our protests, that process continues’. In response, the Armenian Interior Ministry announced that they ensure the security of all accredited diplomatic missions, and underscored that Armenia, as a democratic state, is ‘obliged not to impede’ citizens’ rights to freedom of movement and peaceful assembl
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Georgia
Kobakhidze condemns Moldovan President Sandu’s suggestion of Moldova–Romania unification
The ruling Georgian Dream party has repeatedly criticised Moldovan President Maia Sandu and her pro-Western government.
Armenia
Azerbaijan releases four Armenian prisoners
In parallel, Armenia has released two Syrian nationals captured during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020 to Syria.
