The Dagestan president, Sergei Melikov, announced that a volunteer unit named the Caspian battalion has been formed in the region. He shared this update through his Telegram channel, signaling official recognition of the initiative. The formation appeared to emerge from the collaboration of several public associations in Dagestan, united by a common sense of duty and regional responsibility.
According to Melikov, the Caspian volunteer battalion is being organized under the impetus of local civil groups and community organizations. The aim is to mobilize ready volunteers who want to contribute to regional and national security efforts while staying true to the region’s cultural and historical ties to the Caspian area. This initiative represents a formal channel for civic participation in defense activities, reflecting a broader trend toward community-supported security efforts.
Melikov described the move as very important, noble, and symbolic. He highlighted how Dagestanis consistently display resilience and commitment in challenging times. He noted that some volunteers are prepared to join the Northern Military District in operational roles, while others support the broader mission by collecting and dispatching substantial humanitarian aid to areas in need. The emphasis was on solidarity, practical support, and the use of diverse civil-resilience resources to assist frontline efforts and humanitarian relief simultaneously.
Earlier, deputy commander of the Volunteer Assault Corps, Nikolai Dyakonov, indicated that by directive of the high command, a Cossack reconnaissance and assault brigade named Sibir had been established. He explained that the brigade is planned to be expanded with three additional detachments, each to be named after significant Kazakh and Siberian rivers as a nod to regional heritage. The naming signals a symbolic bond with regional geography and historical identities, reinforcing the unit’s local legitimacy and morale.
Dyakonov also noted that the brigade is currently deployed on the territory of the Luhansk People’s Republic, with several units operating along the front lines within the Donetsk People’s Republic. In this arrangement, Oleg Likontsev, who is a Hero of Russia, serves as the deputy commander of the Siberian brigade and has been appointed commander of the Siberian detachment. His leadership role underscores a continuity of experienced personnel within the force as it expands and assumes new responsibilities in the contested areas.
Earlier in Russia, a new drone suppression system was introduced amid ongoing modernization efforts. This development aims to counter hostile drone activity and enhance airspace security for ground operations. The system’s introduction reflects ongoing strategic adjustments to address evolving threats and improve the effectiveness of military and civil defense capabilities across the region.