The head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, addressed a gathering of senior regional officials, lawmakers, and civic activists to condemn the violence that erupted at Makhachkala airport. In his remarks, Melikov left little room for ambiguity about the people who took part in the disturbances. He rejected any suggestion that the rioters could be considered defenders of the Fatherland, distancing them from the character of true patriots. He characterized the participants with harsh terms, describing them as weak, brutal, and lacking in courage. The assessment did not minutely soften as he spoke of the individuals who joined the crowd, accusing them of relying on anonymity and crowd pressure rather than standing up as individuals.
Melikov pressed the point that real bravery cannot be measured by being part of a mass action or by pushing others forward. He questioned the moral fiber of those who retreated behind the anonymity of the group, asking harsh questions about their identity and their sense of belonging as Dagestanis and as Caucasians. The message was clear: genuine citizenship demands accountability and presence, not hidden acts conducted in the presence of others who may share the moment but not the responsibility.
The Dagestani leader connected the airport events to a broader strategic stance, asserting that the participants aligned themselves with adversaries of Russia and opposed those who defend the country in its current military operations. He framed the episode as a betrayal of the residents who stand for Dagestan and for the unity of the nation. During his address, Melikov reiterated that those responsible would face consequences, underscoring a commitment to law and order that he described as essential to regional stability and national security.
Earlier in the day, Melikov had signaled a firm stance, stating that those behind the airport riot would face the full weight of legal accountability. The goal, he suggested, was not merely to punish but to deter future violence and to reaffirm the rule of law in Dagestan. His comments reflected a broader pattern in which regional leadership emphasizes swift responses to disturbances and a clear demarcation between lawful protest and unlawful disruption.
On the evening of October 29, thousands gathered at Makhachkala airport as a regular international-bound flight from Tel Aviv landed in Dagestan amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The crowd surged into the airport facility, pressing onto the terminal and taking control of parts of the airfield, prompting a rapid security response. Law enforcement units arrived to restore order and to safeguard critical infrastructure during a tense moment for the region. Investigative authorities opened a criminal case focused on mass riots, assigning responsibility to those who had initiated or amplified the disturbance.
In the ensuing hours and days, investigators reported that a number of individuals sustained injuries, including law enforcement personnel. The police reported arrests tied to the events, with dozens detained as the situation unfolded and more arrests anticipated as the investigation continued. The government and law enforcement officials described the actions as a threat to public safety and to the functioning of essential transport services, while stressing the importance of upholding democratic processes and the safety of residents and travelers alike.
Meanwhile, some observers speculated about the possible international dimensions of the episode, with certain officials suggesting an external influence or connection to broader regional tensions. Dagestan’s leadership urged calm and reliance on state institutions to address grievances through lawful channels, emphasizing that violence would not be tolerated and that due process would guide any prosecutions. The discourse underscored a commitment to preserving social stability in a region with a history of ethnic and political sensitivities, while also signaling readiness to confront threats to national security head-on.