North Caucasus
North Caucasus ranks lowest in war losses in Russia
The only region where losses exceed the national average is North Ossetia.
News Stories
Today, 27 March 2026
Today, 27 March 2026
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
Yesterday, 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.
Armenia
Doubling down, Armenian Parliamentary Speaker dubs opposition ‘parties of war’
Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan’s comments follow similar remarks made recently by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Terrorism
Israel issues travel warning for Georgia and Azerbaijan, citing fears of Iran-backed terrorism
The warning recommended Israelis in ‘countries bordering Iran’ not to participate in events connecting to upcoming Jewish or Israeli holidays.
Armenia
Ex-member of Armenian ruling party elected to Constitutional Court amidst concerns of bias
Vladimir Vardanyan’s candidacy raised concerns about his impartiality, given his former membership in the Civil Contract party.
Chechnya
German AfD member gifts Chechen official daggers with swastikas in Grozny
Noah Krieger had previously denied links to the Kadyrov regime.
Daghestan
Daghestani court awards Chernovik journalist $37 for unlawful detention
Magomed Magomedov was arrested in January 2024 during a solo picket in support of fellow journalist Abdulmumin Gadzhiev.
2026 Iran War
What recent Baku–Tehran tensions reveal about Iranian Azerbaijan
Tehran is cautious of alienating its largest ethnic minority, leaving Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in crisis mode.
Economy
Georgian National Bank holds interest rate at 8% despite Iran war
The interest rate remains unchanged despite ongoing political tensions in the Middle East.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Regional * Today, five freight wagons with Russian wheat were sent through Azerbaijan to Armenia. * The Israeli government has issued a travel warning concerning a variety of countries ‘bordering Iran’, including Georgia and Azerbaijan, through the period of the upcoming Jewish holidays. The warning urges travelers to exercise caution and says they ‘recommend not participating in events (including holiday meals) at locations identified with Israel or Judaism due to concerns that these will be
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Russia
Russian journalist sentenced to 10 years in absentia for saying 20% of Georgia is occupied by Russia
This is the first case of Russia’s ‘fake news’ article being used not in connection to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Georgia
Georgian Rugby Union acknowledges its players violated doping regulations
The union claimed that the players in question had not represented the national team since 2024.
