North Caucasus
As Russia further restricts the internet, what does the future hold for the North Caucasus?
The North Caucasus has been facing various internet blockades for several years. Can things really get any worse?
News Stories
Yesterday, 30 March 2026
Yesterday, 30 March 2026
Georgia-UK Relations
Georgian Dream claims UK ruled by ‘deep state’ after calls for sanctions in House of Commons
The calls came in a report by the British Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Georgia
Foreign artist defaces painting by Georgian artist at Tbilisi’s Stamba Hotel
According to artist Lia Shvelidze, whose work was damaged, an investigation has been opened.
Armenia
American University of Armenia switches to online learning ‘amid threats from Iran’
Iran has threatened to target Israeli and US universities in response to attacks on Iranian universities.
Daghestan
North Caucasus and Azerbaijan hit by largest-scale flooding in a century
A state of emergency has been declared in two Russian regions.
Economy
Georgian electricity tariffs to rise up to 33% in April
Prices for residential consumers will rise by 5 tetri per kWh.
Armenia
Three arrested for trying to punch Pashinyan in church
Pashinyan was attending a Palm Sunday sermon at a church in Yerevan.
Georgia
French photographer’s Georgian residence permit revoked, reportedly for ‘political’ reasons
Francis Nicolas Primerski’s permit was first extended, later revoked.
Daily Brief
Monday, 30 March 2026
Regional * In Chechnya and Daghestan, a state of emergency has been introduced due to heavy rainfall, downpours in the mountains, and precipitation in the form of rain and wet snow. Local public channels report rockfalls on a federal highway, destruction of homes, damage to bridges, power outages, and restrictions on traffic. Thousands of people have been evacuated due to the flooding of residential buildings. Neighbouring republics have also been affected. A ‘high alert regime’ due to precipi
Reviews
Review | A Room of My Own — queerness and constraint in Georgia
A Room of My Own is an intimate but unfinished portrait of female friendship, desire, and self-discovery in contemporary Tbilisi.
Friday, 27 March 2026
North Caucasus
North Caucasus ranks lowest in war losses in Russia
The only region where losses exceed the national average is North Ossetia.
Georgia
Georgian company to buy sanctioned coal from Russian-occupied Ukraine
Valerian Kochiashvili, the controversial owner of George Oil Ltd., said there were plans for the coal’s domestic usage in Georgia and for export.
Armenia
Pashinyan claims Nagorno-Karabakh did not fight back against Azerbaijan in September 2023
Earlier in March, Pashinyan called Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians ‘runaways’.
Georgia
Georgian Dream to shut down parts of Rustaveli Avenue for months for ‘renovation’
There have been conflicting reports on how long the planned renovation works would last for.
Chechnya
Aishat Baimuradova buried in Yerevan months after murder
Her family has refused to retrieve her body for burial in Chechnya.
Georgia
NATO says it ‘reviewed engagement’ with Georgia following 2024 elections and aftermath
However, the bloc said that defence cooperation with the army has since ‘progressed’.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Daghestani oligarch Kerimov reportedly pledges over $1 billion to Putin for Ukraine war effort
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged businesses to provide financial support for the war.
Daily Brief
Friday, 27 March 2026
Regional * Aishat Baimuradova, a Chechen woman who was murdered in Yerevan in November, will be laid to rest in Armenia today. Investigative authorities have taken charge of the funeral arrangements, and officials have promised that anyone wishing to attend will be permitted to do so. * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed yesterday Nagorno-Karabakh’s army did not truly put up a fight against Azerbaijan during the final 2023 offensive, saying that reports to the contrary were ‘not consisten
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Armenia
Pashinyan and opposition resort to personal insults ahead of elections
Armenia is set to hold parliamentary elections in June.
Azerbaijan
OC Media contributor Samadov faces increased pressure in prison
Samadov's grandmother can only give him a prison package worth about ₼200 ($118) from her pension once a month.
The Georgian Orthodox Church
After Ilia II’s death, what’s next for the Georgian Orthodox Church?
The Georgian Orthodox Church faces a vacant patriarchal throne, raising urgent questions about succession and change.
Georgia
Ukraine says Hungarian spy operated undercover in Georgia before working in Ukraine
Ukraine’s Security Service identified the individual as Zoltán Andre.
Georgia
Mikheil Lomtadze tops Forbes list of wealthiest Georgians, Ivanishvili in second place
Ivanishvili’s wealth is less than half that of the list’s leader.
OC Insider
Democracy is also about tolerance — something Pashinyan appears to lack
Public discourse in Armenia requires tolerance if democracy is to strengthen
Karachay–Cherkessia
Karachay–Cherkessia mosques to deliver sermons on road safety after rising accidents
Authorities say 64 people were killed in road accidents in the republic in 2025.
Chechnya
Man beaten by Adam Kadyrov for burning Quran ‘disappears’ during prison transfer
Nikita Zhuravel has not been heard from since December 2025.
Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov makes first appearance after car accident
The young Kadyrov has been out of public eye since his alleged accident in January.
2026 Iran War
Russia sends humanitarian aid to Iran via Azerbaijan
Earlier in March, Azerbaijan sent its own tranche of aid to Iran despite the increased tensions between the two countries.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Regional * A Russian train carrying 300 tonnes of humanitarian aid for Iran transited through Azerbaijan. Armenia * Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan addressed the opposition’s suggestion to have guarantors for peace if they come to power following the June parliamentary elections. Mirzoyan said that ‘no one provides guarantees out of sheer goodwill’, instead saying that ‘peace can be maintained as long as it is beneficial to both sides’. * Armenian authorities have conducted searches at a
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Chechnya
Court sentences Chechens over shooting near Wildberries office
The case over the killing of two Ingush security guards was suspended, with the suspect listed as serving in Ukraine.
