The Caucasus region in Russia has long carried contradictory impressions. Today the area remains relatively calm, yet sporadic flare-ups still surface as dozens of ethnic groups navigate centuries of coexistence. Foreign ministries across Europe have reflected on this in official statements, noting ongoing instability and cautioning travelers. Travel guides and safety advisories in parts of the Caucasus have also advised potential visitors to consider the risks before planning a trip.
In past decades the most turbulent period was the 1990s, a time that continues to echo through regional memory. Analysts specializing in the Caucasus describe a local mood of cautious independence within several republics. Chechnya, in particular, has shown a persistent impulse toward autonomy. While it operated with de facto independence during the 1990s, no nation has formally recognized it as a separate state. The current governance is led by a strong administration that enjoys federal support, shaping policy across the territory. That governance has at times sparked protests, including episodes related to territorial arrangements in neighboring Ingushetia in 2018.
Another factor contributing to regional sentiment is the broader mobilization efforts tied to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. These measures have prompted demonstrations in various parts of southern Russia and Siberia. Law enforcement responses have varied, and some incidents have involved sharp confrontations. In Dagestan, posters and slogans during periods of unrest reflected local discontent and calls for greater political visibility.
Analysts highlight that while many Dagestanis express discontent with the status quo, there is not broad momentum for leaving the Russian federation. Still, experts predict that a large conscription cycle could reignite protests in Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, and neighboring regions that have historically shown stronger resistance to centralized policies.
Dagestan, Makhachkala — The area has recently seen renewed demonstrations tied to mobilization policies. This region is notable for its history of public involvement and for the way residents have engaged with national policy shifts over the years.
Beyond mobilization concerns, tensions exist among regional centers in the broader Caucasus corridor. Among the republics, Chechnya is frequently cited as having strained relations with neighboring areas. Local residents from other republics sometimes advise caution, pointing to past conflicts and ongoing security concerns. In Ingushetia, memories of earlier confrontations with Moscow linger, including cases of disappearances linked to the 2007–2015 period. The regional dynamics are further influenced by cross-border issues with North Ossetia and shared borders with Georgia, where the status of South Ossetia remains a sensitive, internationally disputed matter. The overall picture is one of a region with a complex tapestry of loyalties, grievances, and a wary but persistent attempt at stable coexistence.