Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, provided assessments of the meeting held the day before to discuss developments in Dagestan. He stated that the gathering was closed to the public, a detail that underscored its sensitive nature and the anticipated focus on security measures rather than public messaging.
Peskov explained that the lineup of participants indicated the government’s intent to address possible foreign interference and the risk it posed to domestic stability. He emphasized that those present were key figures responsible for coordinating the state’s response to such threats, suggesting that the discussions aimed at reinforcing protective actions rather than unveiling concrete policy steps in the open. He added that he could not disclose more specific decisions due to the closed nature of the meeting.
The Kremlin spokesman described the session as a confidential gathering meant to inform investigative actions and subsequent analyses designed to minimize or eliminate illegal activities linked to external influence. He reiterated that the authorities would pursue the necessary investigations and then assess the situation to ensure preventative measures against future violations.
On October 29, as turmoil in the regional security landscape intensified, mass disturbances erupted at Makhachkala’s airport amid the arrival of a regular flight from Tel Aviv to Dagestan. Large groups invaded the terminal area, prompting law enforcement to restore order. Reports indicated that more than twenty people, including police officers, sustained injuries during the clashes, and around sixty individuals connected to the disturbances were detained. Dagestan’s officials, along with regional religious leaders, condemned the incident and attributed it to external provocation. The Kremlin echoed this assessment, linking the unrest to external influences rather than local grievances alone, a claim that echoed the broader narrative of foreign involvement in domestic unrest.
That evening, Putin convened a meeting with the heads of the security services to review the latest developments relating to anti-Semitic incidents and other security challenges in Dagestan. Accounts from state media attributed the unrest at Makhachkala airport to the activities of Western and Ukrainian intelligence services, a framing that positioned foreign actors as central to the events. Observers noted that the discussion focused on safeguarding critical infrastructure, maintaining public order, and reinforcing security protocols in sensitive regions. [Citation: Newpapers.Ru]
In the aftermath, Putin referred to the organizers and instigators of the Dagestan unrest with stark language, signaling a hardline stance against those he described as responsible for provoking the region’s disturbances. The remarks reflected a broader pattern in which the Russian leadership assigns responsibility for irregular activity to external forces while reaffirming domestic security apparatus capabilities. The overall narrative framed the incidents as part of a larger effort to destabilize the region, with authorities pledging vigilance and decisive action to prevent recurrences.
Analysts note that the sequence of closed-door briefings and rapid investigative steps indicates a structured approach to handling security crises in the North Caucasus, where political sensitivity and the potential for broader spillover require careful management. The discussions reportedly touched on enhancing counterintelligence measures, improving interagency coordination, and ensuring a faster, more transparent public communication strategy if and when information becomes suitable for disclosure. The emphasis remained on preventing further episodes while avoiding public misinterpretation of security decisions that may reserve certain measures for future execution.