The president of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, described the disruption at Makhachkala airport as something that was allegedly orchestrated from Ukrainian territory, a claim he attributed to hostile forces opposing Russia. He framed the incident as the work of Russia’s enemies and suggested that external actors had a hand in encouraging the unrest that disrupted a critical transport hub in Dagestan.
Melikov further stated that those who organized the action had long benefited from socio-economic changes that did not reach certain communities in Dagestan. He suggested that the destabilizing actions were not spontaneous but the outcome of deliberate efforts by groups seeking to undermine stability in the region and to destabilize the broader national endeavor. The Dagestani leader described the events as a betrayal and voiced a strong condemnation of what he characterized as cynicism and treachery toward the soldiers, police, and all those serving in the country at large as they carried out their duties in a difficult security environment.
According to Melikov, the actions at the airport were carried out at a time when the nation was already facing considerable strain from ongoing military operations elsewhere. He asserted that the participants were acting on behalf of hostile forces and that their behavior amounted to an act of betrayal against the security services guarding the country and against the citizens who rely on them for protection. The remarks emphasized that the incident did not occur in isolation but was part of a larger pattern of attempts to disrupt national unity during a period of heightened vigilance.
Reports indicate that the disturbance unfolded on a day marked by a deteriorating regional and international security context. At Makhachkala airport, hundreds of people reportedly breached access to the terminal during a regular flight arriving from Tel Aviv to Dagestan, causing the facility to be temporarily halted. Law enforcement officers intervened, restoring order after several tense hours. In the aftermath, more than twenty people, including police officers, were reported to have sustained injuries, and around sixty individuals were placed in custody as authorities worked to restore normal operations. Dagestan’s authorities, along with local religious leaders, condemned the incident and attributed it to external provocation. The Kremlin also linked the unrest to outside influence, echoing Melikov’s suspicion that foreign interests were seeking to destabilize the region and challenge Russia in a moment of global uncertainty. The narrative framed the events as a targeted attempt to sow discord rather than a spontaneous public protest, with the implication that organized external actors were trying to exploit local grievances for strategic gain.
Earlier statements from a Russian Foreign Ministry source suggested that the Kiev regime could be involved in the Dagestan events, aligning with the broader governmental claim that the unrest was part of a calculated external campaign. The assessments reflect a view that the incidents at Makhachkala airport were not merely local disturbances but pieces of a larger geopolitical puzzle, designed to undermine both regional stability and national cohesion. The situation underscores the tension between regional dynamics in the North Caucasus and Russia’s wider security and political objectives as the country navigates a complex international landscape.
In summary, Dagestan’s leadership characterized the airport upheaval as a calculated move from adversaries abroad, aimed at destabilizing the region and challenging the country’s resilience. The incident highlighted the delicate balance between addressing local grievances and managing national security during times of external pressure. Officials stressed that the actions were contrary to the interests of Dagestan’s residents and the broader Russian Federation, underscoring the perceived severity of the betrayal by those who were believed to be acting on behalf of hostile forces. The authorities pledged continued vigilance and support for security personnel who remain on the front lines in defense of the country during ongoing operations and security challenges.