Human Rights Violations Report Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
March 2026
Hava Beshtoeva
Analysis of data from mass media, internet resources, and statements by private individuals for March 2026 testifies to the continuing trend of violations of human rights and freedoms by the authorities and security forces of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. These violations are primarily related to politically motivated pressure, repressions, and judicial falsifications, including those concerning minors, as well as encroachments on the right to a fair trial. The documented incidents determine the relevance of further efforts to protect human rights in the republic.
Anniversary of the Deportation of the Balkars
On 8 March 1944, 37,713 Balkars were forcibly sent to Central Asia. The ethnic Balkars were accused by the leadership of the USSR of “treason” and “inability to defend” the territory of the Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR, in particular Elbrus and the Elbrus region, from German-fascist troops, and were resettled in Central Asia. Every year in Kabardino-Balkaria, 8 March is marked as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Deportation and 28 March as the Day of Revival; this date is associated with the return of the Balkars from deportation.
The operation to deport the Balkars took place on 8 March 1944 and lasted only two hours. During this time, disabled war veterans, families of front-line soldiers, and leaders of party bodies were sent to Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Of the 37,713 deported Balkars, 52% were children, 30% were women, and 18% were men. During the 18-day journey, 562 people died. Only in 1957 were the Balkars allowed to return to their homeland.
In Kabardino-Balkaria on 8 March 2026, the 82nd anniversary of the deportation of the Balkar people to Kazakhstan and Central Asia carried out under Stalin was commemorated.
The consequences of the deportation are still reflected in the fates of the Balkars, and rehabilitation cannot be considered complete. In recent years, the number of informal events on the occasion of the anniversary of the deportation has decreased; people prefer to remember the deceased in the family circle.
Natives of the Caucasus took an active part in the Great Patriotic War, and the myths about their mass desertion and collaborationism are based on data intended to justify repressions against the Caucasian peoples.
In February 2024, Nalchik resident Oleg Kelemetov sent a statement to the Investigative Committee demanding a check of the decisions of the State Defense Committee (GKO) of the USSR on the deportation of the peoples of the Caucasus. Kelemetov believes that the GKO decisions on the expulsion of peoples violated the Constitution and the Criminal Code of the USSR. In May of the same year, Kelemetov, on behalf of a group of residents of the North Caucasus, sent appeals to the parliaments of the North Caucasus republics calling for a ban on the glorification of Stalin and others guilty of mass deportations. Such initiatives are important, but in modern Russian realities they can result in repressions against their authors.
In Nalchik, near the “Memorial to the Victims of Political Repressions,” a rally dedicated to the anniversary of the deportation of the Balkar people was held. The head of the organization “Birlik” Akhmat Sumaev, the president of the International Circassian Association Khauti Sokhrokov, and the head of the society of Russian history and culture “Veche” Roman Litvinov spoke at it. They placed the blame for the deportation on the “Stalin-Beria regime,” condemned it, and voiced the wish that nothing like this would happen again in the future. It is noteworthy that official authorities, on the contrary, write about the deportation without mentioning Stalin.
More than eight decades later, descendants of the repressed are forced to seek rehabilitation through the courts privately. The law adopted in 1991 was supposed to restore their rights, but in practice it does not work.
Link: https://www.kavkazr.com/a/v-kabardino-balkarii-vspominayut-zhertv-deportatsii/33698794.html
Circassian Language and Writing Day
On Circassian Language and Writing Day, which is celebrated on 14 March, Circassian activists reminded that, despite the fact that today this day is marked by scientific conferences, open lessons in schools, literary evenings, and concerts, the current state of the language in Russia can be characterized as a fragile balance between the threat of loss and an active desire for revival. They emphasized that the problem of preserving the native language, which is the basis of national identity and cultural code, does not lose its relevance.
Link: https://t.me/aheku/7406
Orphans Complain About Multi-Year Queues for Housing
Court decisions on the immediate provision of housing to orphans are not being fulfilled, residents of Kabardino-Balkaria who have been waiting for the promised apartments for 10-12 years told “Caucasian Knot.” The queue for apartments for orphans is growing faster than housing is being built, the Ministry of Education of the republic reported.
As “Caucasian Knot” wrote, in early March a resident of Kabardino-Balkaria, Rustam Farzaliev, published a video appeal to the head of the republic, criticized local officials for indifference to the problems of orphans who, like Farzaliev himself, cannot receive the apartments they are entitled to. The problem of providing housing for orphans remains acute for the republic, the Human Rights Commissioner stated.
This year, it is planned to purchase 185 apartments for orphans in Kabardino-Balkaria. At the same time, 1,466 people are on the housing queue, and 309 people from among orphans have court decisions on the immediate provision of housing in their hands.
The orphans themselves, when contacting the Ministry of Education, receive the answer that the republic is “catastrophically short of money” to fulfill its obligations to provide them with housing. In the spring of 2025, the Government of Kabardino-Balkaria decided that orphans would be able to receive payments for the purchase of housing or repayment of a mortgage loan. The amount of payments was not announced, and the authorities’ promises raise doubts, social network users indicated.
Link: https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/421790
Former Employees of the Kabardino-Balkarian State Agrarian University Demand Compliance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the Housing Code from the KBSAA Management and the Authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria
They considered the response of the university representatives to their claims to be formal and proposed creating a commission for a joint assessment of the legality of each eviction case.
It should be recalled that 47 families of former employees of the agrarian university, who were laid off in 2017 without being provided with other work, live in the dormitory. They were on the housing queue, but this queue was liquidated. Back in June 2025, the university management notified former employees living in the university dormitory since 1987 about eviction without providing other housing.
“Orders for occupancy issued by the state and the university in the 1980s–1990s are our legal grounds. The fact of residence for more than 25–30 years, which no one has disputed. Article 13 of Federal Law No. 189-FL ‘On the Enactment of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation’ directly states: citizens living in dormitories at the time of the enactment of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation (2005) and registered as needing housing cannot be evicted without the provision of other housing. Many of us are on the register,” they stated.
According to the Housing Code, persons who have no other housing and are registered as needing it cannot be evicted from official residential premises without the provision of other housing. Also, families of military personnel, security officers, pensioners, disabled people, as well as people who were provided with housing in a dormitory before March 1, 2005 — before the enactment of the Housing Code — and who are registered as needing housing cannot be evicted without the provision of other housing.
Those under threat of eviction drew up a collective appeal to the management of the KBSAA and the authorities of the republic, calling for “the immediate withdrawal of eviction notices in respect of preferential categories (pensioners, disabled people, families with children, employees with more than 10 years of experience),” the creation of a commission consisting of representatives of the university and residents to check each case, and compliance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the Housing Code.
Valery Khatakhukov, chairman of the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Center, also publicly appealed to the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic K.V. Kokov, assuring that without his direct intervention the problem cannot be solved. He called on the head of the republic, Kazbek Kokov, to influence the management of the agricultural university in Nalchik and not to allow the eviction of former university employees from the dormitory.
The Case of Anzor Khalilov Requires Federal Attention
The lawyer of the entrepreneur appealed the next extension of the preventive measure in the form of detention in relation to his client.
The situation around the entrepreneur Anzor Khalilov from the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic is developing according to a scenario that raises more and more questions from the human rights community.
Circassian activists previously warned that the United Arab Emirates are not among the countries where persons who are in conflict with the Russian system of justice can feel protected. Unfortunately, these warnings were confirmed. A few weeks later, Anzor Khalilov was detained in the UAE and deported via Interpol and handed over to Russian security forces.
It should be recalled that it all started when during a school event his wife did not stand up during the performance of the anthem of the Russian Federation, although his daughter rose slightly. The situation did not reflect intentional ignoring, but became a tool of pressure. After the administrative punishment, pressure and extortion began — security forces demanded 80 million rubles from the entrepreneur.
Today his case is being considered at the regional level in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.
Circassian activists are calling for public resonance, asserting that the problem of Khalilov should not remain regional: “When such cases are closed within one region or even within the North Caucasian Federal District, the probability of an objective and impartial consideration sharply decreases”.
Link: https://t.me/CircassianMedia/2087
The Case of the Murder of the Athlete Aslan Kambiev is Experiencing Judicial Obstacles
On 1 February 2022, in Nalchik on Lermontov Street, during a quarrel, the multiple prize-winner and champion of Russia and Europe in judo and sambo Aslan Kambiev received a gunshot wound. On 8 March 2022, he died in the Sklifosovsky clinic in Moscow. On 24 February, the Nalchik City Court found a resident of the village of Psygansu, Ruslan Kudaev, guilty in the case of the murder of Kambiev. Kudaev was found guilty under Article 108 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (murder in excess of the limits of necessary defense) and was released from punishment (1 year 10 months of restriction of freedom) due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. The charge of illegal acquisition of firearms (Part 1 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) was also dropped from him.
The Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria, which acquitted the defendant Ruslan Kudaev and recognized his right to rehabilitation in the case of the murder of the athlete Aslan Kambiev, ignored the testimony of witnesses, stated the widow of the murdered. The Fifth Cassation Court overturned the acquittal verdict in relation to Ruslan Kudaev in the case of the murder of the champion of Russia in sambo and judo Aslan Kambiev and returned the case for a new consideration to the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria. The court of first instance allowed numerous violations, indicated the lawyer of the family of the deceased.
The review of the case of the murder of the champion of Europe and Russia in judo Aslan Kambiev in the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria, after the cancellation by the Fifth Cassation Court of the previously issued verdict, was scheduled for 3 March. However, the court session did not take place. Judge Atakuev stated that it was not possible to assemble a quorum of three judges due to the fact that almost all judges of the Supreme Court were, one way or another, involved in the consideration of this case.
The Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria could not assemble a panel of three people for the review of the case of the murder of the judoka Aslan Kambiev. The court is waiting for the results of the consideration of the complaint against the ruling of the cassation court, the lawyer suggested.
“The murder took place in a cafe that belongs to the brother of the defendant. Kudaev fled the scene of the crime, turned off his phone and got in touch only after he had prepared to present the murder he committed as exceeding the limits of necessary self-defense. The pistol from which Aslan Kambiev was killed has never been found,” the widow of the athlete said.
This is happening against the background that after the open appeal of the Initiative Group, the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin informed that the circumstances of the athlete’s death had been taken under his control and instructions had been given to the leadership of the republican Investigative Committee.
Links: https://revizornews.ru/post/27886?ysclid=moeyu4v7zl803636400 https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/421371
The Appeal of the Verdict Against Alzhuko Aslanukov Remained Without Response
The sister of the resident of the Tersky District Alzhuko Aslanukov contacted “Gazeta Yuga”. In September 2025 he appealed a 6-year verdict for the storage of two grenades and a detonator: “My brother has already been unable to achieve justice for 2 years. For two years he has been sitting for nothing. Now he is waiting for a session of the appellate instance in the Supreme Court of the KBR, being in the PFRSI (premises functioning in the mode of a pre-trial detention center) of correctional colony No. 3. This is a strict regime. We have appealed to a variety of authorities, including in Moscow, and wrote to the head of the KBR. The people who persecuted my brother themselves ended up under investigation for corruption and are also in pre-trial detention. But my brother’s case is not moving. The Supreme Court of the KBR has postponed the consideration of the appeal already ten times for various reasons. We are afraid for my brother’s health – he said that he wants to declare a hunger strike. His 72-year-old mother went blind from tears and lost her sight. We ask you to pay attention to our situation and help us achieve justice”.
Link: https://t.me/gazetayuga/8411
Two Teenagers in Kabardino-Balkaria Accused of Working for the Special Services of Ukraine
In Kabardino-Balkaria, a criminal case has been initiated against a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old local residents suspected under Part 3 of Article 30, Part 2 of Article 223.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (attempt to manufacture explosive devices committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy), the Investigative Committee reported.
“According to the version of the investigation, in early March 2026 the suspects, through one of the messengers, entered into correspondence with a person located on the territory of Ukraine. At his direction, the teenagers acquired components for the manufacture of an improvised explosive device, which they intended to manufacture and equip in an apartment rented for these purposes. The suspects were detained by police officers while transporting the components of the explosive device,” the publication on the department’s website says.
The teenagers were chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention, the Investigative Committee noted.
Part 2 of Article 223.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for 10 to 15 years of imprisonment with a fine in the amount of 300 thousand to 800 thousand rubles or in the amount of the salary or other income of the convicted person for a period of one year to three years.
It should be recalled that on 17 January law enforcement officers announced the arrest of a 16-year-old resident of Kabardino-Balkaria accused of preparing an attack on police officers in Nalchik on the instructions of a representative of a terrorist organization. According to the version of law enforcement officers, in October 2025 the teenager joined a terrorist organization and, having received instructions in a messenger, bought components for the manufacture of an explosive device.
The version of the investigation that a 16-year-old teenager planned to assemble an explosive device for an attack on security forces does not look unrealistic. In recent years, many minors have been accused under terrorist articles, human rights defenders and a lawyer pointed out.
On 4 July 2025, an attack on a traffic police crew took place in Nalchik, a police officer was wounded. One attacker was shot dead, and the second managed to escape. In September, the investigation reported the detention of a teenager born in 2008, whom law enforcement officers consider the second participant in the attack. The detained minor claims that he did not know about the intentions of his acquaintance to attack anyone, his actions were a surprise to him and he ran away, frightened.
Links: https://sledcom.ru/press/smi/item/2072729/?print=1 https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/26864737
A Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria is Suspected of Recruiting into the Ranks of a Terrorist Organization
According to the version of the investigation, in August 2015 the suspect, being the organizer of a cell of an extremist association, by means of persuasion and demonstration of video materials about an international terrorist organization whose activities are prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation, persuaded two of his acquaintances to participate in an illegal armed formation on the territory of a foreign state.
The case is being investigated on the grounds of recruitment or other involvement of a person in the commission of crimes of a terrorist nature, “Interfax” reported today citing the Investigative Committee of Kabardino-Balkaria.
The suspect was detained. A preventive measure in the form of detention was chosen for him.
The Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic initiated a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The maximum punishment provided by law for committing the specified crime is deprivation of liberty for a term of up to 15 years.
Links: https://www.interfax-russia.ru/index.php/south-and-north-caucasus/news/predpolagaemyy-verbovshchik-terroristov-arestovan-v-kabardino-balkarii https://www.kbpravda.ru/node/47785
It should be recalled that in the summer of 2024, 50 organizations of indigenous peoples were recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation, among which were such peaceful human rights initiatives as the International Committee of Indigenous Peoples, the Public Organization “Circassian Committee” (Congress), the Foreign Non-Profit Organization “Circassian Cultural Center” (Republic of Georgia), the Public Association “Fund ‘Council of United Circassia’ (The Council of United Circassia)”, as well as the “Caucasian Union”.
Later, in November 2024, all these organizations, as well as more than a hundred others, a total of 172 organizations for the protection of the rights and culture of indigenous peoples, were recognized as terrorist:
In addition, in 2024 the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation made a decision to recognize a group of agents of the Main Intelligence Directorate (of Ukraine) as a terrorist organization.
Link: https://www.interfax.ru/russia/983505
Thus, the accused could have been talking both about participation in resistance to the aggressor country on the side of Ukraine, and about participation in the peaceful activities of the Circassian Cultural Center, which is both international and, according to the Russian court, terrorist.
The courts of the Russian Federation have recently preferred to hide the specific circumstances of cases under the above-mentioned articles, since when publishing the direct words or actions of the accused, the absurdity of the charges brought often becomes obvious.
A Teenager from Kabardino-Balkaria Suspected of Promoting Terrorism
Investigators caught a teenager from the Baksan District distributing materials justifying terrorist activity and ideology. The young man was placed under house arrest.
The basis for initiating a criminal case against the young resident of Kabardino-Balkaria was operational data from the FSB and the police. The figure in the case lives in the Baksan District, he was born in 2007.
The youth is charged with publications that he made while still a minor. According to the version of the investigation, in November and December 2024 the teenager created a public channel in a messenger and published certain “materials justifying terrorist activity”. In his posts, security forces discovered propaganda of the ideology of an international terrorist organization banned in Russia, the Investigative Committee of Kabardino-Balkaria reported today.
In this case, the accusers also hide the specific circumstances of the case, since “justification of terrorism” in courts can mean not only justification of strikes by Ukraine on the Russian Federation for self-defense, but also justification of participation in events of the Circassian Cultural Center or the Caucasian Union.
The department noted that the court placed the young man under house arrest while the investigation continues. Article on public propaganda of terrorism via the Internet (Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of Russia) provides for imprisonment for a term of five to seven years.
The name of the suspect is not mentioned in the Investigative Committee’s message, but on 24 March El’dar Kilyarov, a native of Baksan, born in 2007, was added to the register of terrorists and extremists of Rosfinmonitoring. Kilyarov will turn 19 on 25 April, according to a publication by a Telegram bot that tracks updates in the list.
Links: https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/26914223 https://kbr.sledcom.ru/news/item/1983241/
Former Military Serviceman Arrested on Charges of Financing Terrorism
For two months, the Nalchik Garrison Military Court arrested a former serviceman with the surname B., who is accused of eight episodes of financing terrorism.
The investigator filed a petition for the selection of a preventive measure in the form of arrest for the former military serviceman, who is accused of committing eight crimes under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (financing of terrorism), according to the message published on the court’s website.
The court decided to detain B. for two months — until May 25 of the current year.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW-_eAFAMH5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
As Meduza has calculated, as of April 2026, 225 criminal cases have been initiated for the financing of the fight against corruption in Russia, to the Anti-Corruption Foundation.
Link: https://zona.media/article/2026/04/21/donates-april2026
Thus, we note that in the Russian Federation, “financing of terrorism” can be used to refer to the financing of anything, from the fight against corruption to the preservation of the culture of one’s own people.
A Pensioner from Kabardino-Balkaria Accused of Financing Extremism
Employees of the Center for Countering Extremism and the FSB Directorate for Kabardino-Balkaria reported the suppression of the financing of an extremist structure by a 62-year-old resident of the Prokhladnensky District.
According to the version of the investigation, in August 2021 the suspect transferred funds to the address of a non-profit organization whose activities are prohibited by the court and recognized as extremist on the territory of the Russian Federation.
A criminal case was initiated on the grounds of a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The maximum punishment provided by law for committing this crime is imprisonment for a term of up to 8 years, the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Kabardino-Balkaria reported in its Telegram channel.
Currently, investigative actions are being carried out aimed at establishing all the circumstances and other episodes of the suspect’s illegal activities. For the duration of the investigation, the woman was chosen a preventive measure in the form of a written undertaking not to leave the place, the department’s message states.
The press service did not specify which extremist non-profit organization is in question. The name of the suspect was also not given.
Links: https://kbrria.ru/proisshestviya/VozbuzhdenougolovnoedelovotnosheniizhitelnitsyKabardinoBalkariiprichastnoykfinansirovaniyuekstremizma1008 https://t.me/mvd_kabardino_balkaria/22941
Head of One of the Subdivisions of the Apparatus of the Parliament of the KBR Accused of Financing Terrorism
According to the FSB Directorate of Russia for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, in early March 2026 the illegal activities of the head of one of the subdivisions of the apparatus of the Parliament of the KBR were suppressed.
The figure is suspected of financing extremist activities (Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
According to the version of the investigation, the head of the subdivision transferred funds to the account of a non-profit organization that was recognized by a court decision as extremist and banned on the territory of the Russian Federation. A criminal case has been initiated, and the investigation is underway.
In a number of reports for March–April 2026, there are also mentions of the detention of other residents of the KBR (in particular, a 49-year-old resident of Chegem-2 and a 38-year-old local resident) in cases of financing terrorism (Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), however, these reports concern not employees of the parliament, but other persons. Information about the parliament apparatus should be separated from cases against civilians.
The maximum punishment under Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (financing of extremism) is up to 8 years of imprisonment, and when using an official position — up to 10 years.
Link: https://nalchik.bezformata.com/listnews/prichastnogo/157230520/
A Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria Convicted of Justifying Terrorism
The Southern District Military Court found a resident of the Chegem District Aslan Aloev guilty of justifying terrorism and sentenced him to a fine of 360 thousand rubles (more than 4000 euro).
Employees of the FSB Directorate of Russia for Kabardino-Balkaria established that the 32-year-old resident of the Chegem District Aloev, using the Internet, disseminated materials containing justification of terrorism, the press service of the department for Kabardino-Balkaria reported.
By the decision of the Southern District Military Court, which entered into legal force, Aloev was found guilty of justifying terrorism. He was sentenced to a fine in the amount of 360 thousand rubles with deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the administration of websites for a period of 2 years.
Link: https://t.me/gazetayuga/11734
A Resident of the Republic Sentenced to 13 Years of Imprisonment on Charges of High Treason and Preparation for Sabotage
The actions of the defendant were qualified by the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria under the articles “High Treason”, “Preparation for the Commission of Sabotage — an explosion aimed at the destruction and damage of structures, objects of transport infrastructure and vehicles, objects of life support of the population” and “Illegal circulation of explosive substances or explosive devices” of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
“The defendant was found guilty, he was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 13 years with a fine in the amount of 130 thousand rubles and with restriction of freedom for one year,” the message of the press service of the judicial system of Kabardino-Balkaria in the Telegram channel says.
The press service clarified that the first three years of the sentence the convicted person will serve in prison, and the remaining ten years — in a strict regime correctional colony.
In the card of the court case on the website of the Supreme Court, information about the convicted person is hidden. The case was received by the court for consideration on 30 December 2025, the verdict was pronounced on 5 March 2026 by judge Bekir Makoev.
Links: https://t.me/vskbr/1662 https://vs–kbr.sudrf.ru/modules.php?name=press_dep&op=1&did=112 https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/26667329
A Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria Detained on Suspicion of High Treason and Cooperation with the Special Services of Ukraine
FSB employees suspected a resident of Kabardino-Balkaria of collecting information about military facilities on the instructions of Ukrainian special services.
A criminal case was initiated against a 36-year-old resident of Kabardino-Balkaria under the article on high treason. Article 275 of the Criminal Code of Russia provides for imprisonment from twelve to twenty years, and in some cases implies life imprisonment.
The man collected information about objects of the Ministry of Defense of Russia and transferred it to Ukrainian special services, TASS reported citing the FSB Directorate for Kabardino-Balkaria.
The department did not specify in which city the suspect lived, how he collected data about military facilities and how he was recruited. The date of the man’s detention and his arrest is also not named.
Link: https://ria.ru/20260317/kbr-2081196978.html
A Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria Fined Under the Article on Discrediting the Army
Liability for discrediting the armed forces was introduced on 4 March 2022. After that, residents of Russia, including regions of the North Caucasian Federal District and the Southern Federal District, began to be persecuted under the corresponding article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. It provides for citizens a fine from 30 thousand to 100 thousand rubles, and a repeated violation within a year threatens criminal prosecution.
The Elbrus District Court fined a local resident, “citizen R”, 30 thousand rubles, finding her guilty of discrediting the armed forces of Russia. The reason for the verdict was a video material posted by her in the WhatsApp messenger.
According to the version of the investigation and the court, the local resident posted a video material in the WhatsApp messenger that had signs of public actions aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of the Elbrus District Court reported on its official page on VKontakte.
At the court session, the woman fully admitted her guilt and repented of what she had done. When imposing the punishment, the court took into account as mitigating circumstances the admission of guilt and repentance.
The offense was detected during operational-search measures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the region aimed at identifying facts of posting extremist materials on the Internet, the court’s message says.
According to the court card on the court’s website, Lyudmila Raukhova was brought to administrative responsibility.
Links: https://vk.ru/wall-218431476_347 https://elbrussky–kbr.sudrf.ru/modules.php?name=press_dep&op=1&did=167
Five Prisoners from Kabardino-Balkaria Convicted in the Case of the Prison Jamaat
The military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced five prisoners of a colony in Kabardino-Balkaria to long terms, recognizing them as participants in a terrorist community.
The case of the “prison jamaat” in Kabardino-Balkaria has been considered by the Southern District Military Court since August 2023. The verdict on it was announced on 6 March 2026.
The convicted Akhmed Alborov, Kazbek Khuranov, Eldar Tamazov, Sergey Barelnikov and Teymur Medvedev were charged with organizing a terrorist community and participation in it, public calls for terrorism and assistance to terrorist activities.
According to the version of the accusation, all five were serving sentences in a colony on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria, where the terrorist community “Jamaat” operated, created between 2009 and 2011. “The defendants at different times voluntarily joined and then participated in a terrorist community created by another person,” the press service of the Southern District Military Court reported.
According to the verdict, all five convicted became active participants in the group and performed certain duties to ensure its activities. Alborov and Khuranov, according to the court, were among the leaders — they planned criminal actions, distributed duties among the participants, held meetings and developed plans for terrorist attacks.
The press service did not provide other specific examples of the criminal activity of the alleged cell, and no confirmation of the guilt of the convicted was presented. It is not specified which colony is in question and when exactly the convicted allegedly participated in the “jamaat”.
Akhmed Alborov was sentenced to 26 years of special regime, Kazbek Khuranov was sentenced to 23 years and one day of special regime, Eldar Tamazov — to 23 years of strict regime. Sergey Barelnikov received 20 years of strict regime and a fine in the amount of 5882 rubles (for what the fine was imposed, the court’s press service did not specify). Teymur Medvedev was sentenced to 17 years and one day of strict regime. All convicted must serve the first seven years of the assigned terms in prison.
Rosfinmonitoring added Alborov, Khuranov, Barelnikov and Tamazov to the list of terrorists and extremists on 15 October 2021. When Medvedev was added to this register is unclear.
The project “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial” added Alborov, Khuranov, Barelnikov and Tamazov to the list of persons subjected to criminal prosecution, in which, with a high degree of probability, there are signs of political motivation and serious violation of the law. According to human rights defenders, their prosecution is related to the alleged involvement in the religious movement “Tablighi Jamaat”, which the Russian authorities consider an extremist organization, however, it is not included in the list of terrorist organizations of the FSB. There is also no “prison jamaat” in any of the colonies of Kabardino-Balkaria in this list.
Links: https://www.interfax-russia.ru/south-and-north-caucasus/news/uchastniki-terroristicheskogo-soobshchestva-v-kolonii-kbr-poluchili-do-26-let-lisheniya-svobody https://www.kavkazr.com/a/pyatj-urozhentsev-kabardino-balkarii-poluchili-dliteljnye-sroki-po-delu-o-tyuremnom-dzhamaate/33697785.html
Z-blogger Remeslo Placed in a Psychiatric Hospital After Criticizing Putin
A native of Nalchik, lawyer and blogger Ilya Remeslo was placed in a St. Petersburg psychiatric hospital after the head of the “Akhmat” special forces unit Apti Alaudinov questioned whether the criticism of the president published by the pro-Putin blogger was expressed voluntarily.
The head of the “Akhmat” special forces unit Apti Alaudinov called the blogger Ilya Remeslo, who on 18 March published a series of posts criticizing the authorities. Remeslo confirmed that he had not been hacked. Alaudinov suggested checking whether the blogger was being held hostage and stated that the conversation with Remeslo surprised him.
The well-known lawyer-blogger Ilya Remeslo was hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital the day after his public change of political position.
Remeslo is in the inpatient department of the St. Petersburg city psychiatric hospital named after Skvortsov-Stepanov, in the 16th department. It specializes in the treatment of men with newly manifested symptoms of psychotic disorder. Among the patients in the department are people with delusions, thought disorders and incoherent speech.
The last post in the blogger’s Telegram channel was published at 23:25 Moscow time on 18 March. In it, he points out that the repost made by Alaudinov shows that “Apti Aronovich agrees with me on the main thing about war criminals.” “Unlike those who resort to instant reprisals based on emotions [obviously referring to me?], Apti Aronovich asserts: ‘We must identify and punish according to the facts, and not indiscriminately’. I am glad that Apti Aronovich and I have finally come to an agreement. When do we start cleaning up this damned fifth column, because of which Russia cannot finish the SVO?” the publication says.
Ilya Remeslo is a native of Nalchik, graduated from St. Petersburg State University with a law degree, and was a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation from 2017 to 2020, according to the website of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Links: https://meduza.io/feature/2026/03/19/bloger-i-donoschik-ilya-remeslo-vystupivshiy-protiv-putina-okazalsya-v-psihiatricheskoy-bolnitse https://www.kavkazr.com/a/alaudinov-predpolozhil-chto-raskritikovavshiy-putina-provlastnyy-bloger-remeslo-nahoditsya-v-zalozhnikah/33709875.html https://www.currenttime.tv/a/russia-propaganda-remeslo/33711514.html
Residents of the North Caucasus Spoke About Problems with Access to Telegram and Restrictions on Mobile Internet
In Kabardino-Balkaria, users in March 2026 first noticed a significant slowdown in Telegram operation, and in the last days channels and chats have almost stopped loading. Messages are also not being sent, videos and photos are not loading, and programs to bypass blocking, as a rule, do not help, active users of the messenger noted.
Residents of the republic state that there is almost no free Internet left in the country: Telegram does not work, YouTube does not work, Instagram does not work. Only Odnoklassniki, VKontakte and Max remain, which, in their opinion, are full of scammers. People are afraid to install Max, as it is linked to Gosuslugi, where all personal data is available, and there is no confidence that scammers will not use it. Many note negative consequences for business and communication with relatives located outside the country.
Restrictions on mobile Internet have also forced people to carry cash and have greatly slowed down business operations, problems have arisen when shopping in stores and online, calling a taxi, and searching for information.
Link: https://gogov.ru/ne-rabotaet-telegram/kbr
Losses During the Invasion of Ukraine by the End of March 2026
According to statements by representatives of the authorities and security agencies, official losses amounted to at least 4,415 servicemen killed from the North Caucasus.
The largest number of deaths is still in Dagestan — 1,881. The deaths of 928 servicemen from Stavropol Krai, 578 from North Ossetia, 387 from Kabardino-Balkaria, 262 from Chechnya, 193 from Karachay-Cherkessia and 186 from Ingushetia have also been confirmed.
Among the regions of the Southern Federal District, the largest number of deaths (1,732) is in Volgograd Oblast. The deaths of 882 servicemen from Rostov Oblast, 835 from Krasnodar Krai, 730 from Astrakhan Oblast, 221 from Kalmykia and 136 from Adygea have also been confirmed.
At the same time, the real losses among combatants from the North Caucasus may be significantly higher than officially recognized. This situation is typical for all regions of the North Caucasian Federal District, but is especially relevant for Chechnya. Ramzan Kadyrov in February 2023 called on the heads of regions not to disclose the number of those killed. “I do not understand when the heads of regions trumpet the number of those killed in the SWO. I have a question: why? Do not manipulate the topic of our heroes, write that so many died in one region, and so many in another,” he said.
In March 2026, it became known that 8 residents of Kabardino-Balkaria would not return from the SWO:
- Valery Pavliy and Ivan Lvov from Nalchik,
- Rezuan Zhurtov from Nartkala,
- Ratmir Dyshekov from Baksan,
- Ruslan Ashev from Atazhukino, Baksan District,
- Ivan Kulakovsky and Vladimir Zakharchenko from Prokhladny,
- Gamlet Arakelov from Tyrnyauz.
At the same time, in the 2025 report, the Human Rights Commissioner in the KBR Boris Zamakulov mentioned 39 appeals for assistance in searching for missing persons in the SWO, another 36 appeals concerned “problems of release from captivity”. The Commissioner sent 39 urgent requests to the federal Commissioner for the search for missing persons and the exchange of prisoners of war.
At the same time, over 4 thousand people received payments in the amount of 1.8 million rubles for signing a contract to participate in the SWO.
Link: https://upchkbr.ru/svo
In March 2026, 16 People Were Sentenced by the Nalchik Garrison Military Court to Real Terms for Unauthorized Abandonment of a Unit During the Period of Mobilization
In particular:
- Beslan Khamukovwas found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization. According to the court, Khamukov, without good reason, “on 9 January 2025, during the period of mobilization,” unauthorizedly left the military unit in Stavropol Krai.
“On 21 April 2025 Khamukov voluntarily appeared at the military prosecutor’s office of the garrison in Nalchik, and from 9 January to 21 April 2025 Khamukov spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the department’s publication on the VKontakte page says.
In court, Khamukov fully admitted his guilt. “The defendant was sentenced to real imprisonment for a term of 5 years in a general regime correctional colony,” the message notes.
- Zaurab Aliev was found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization. According to the court data, Aliev, without good reason, “on 6 September 2024, during the period of mobilization,” failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit.
“On 21 April 2025, Aliev voluntarily appeared at the military investigative department in Nalchik, and from 6 September 2024 to 21 April 2025 he spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the publication on the department’s page on VKontakte says.
In court, Aliev fully admitted his guilt. “The defendant was sentenced to real imprisonment for a term of 6 years in a general regime correctional colony,” the message notes.
- Atmir Tokhov was found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization.
According to the court data, Tokhov, without good reason, “on 8 November 2024, during the period of mobilization,” committed unauthorized abandonment of his place of service.
“On 10 December 2025, Tokhov was discovered in the city of Nartkala by a police officer, and from 8 November 2024 to 10 December 2025 Tokhov spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the department’s publication on the VKontakte page says.
In court, Tokhov fully admitted his guilt. “The defendant was sentenced to real imprisonment for a term of 5 years in a general regime correctional colony,” the message notes.
- Astemir Kosheev was found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization. Previously, he had already been convicted under the same article conditionally.
According to the court data, Kosheev, without good reason, on 4 December 2025, “during the period of mobilization,” unauthorizedly left his place of service in Mozdok. From that day until 22 December he “spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” and on 22 December he voluntarily came to the military investigative department in Nalchik, the publication says.
In November 2025, the defendant had already been convicted under the same article and sentenced to two years of imprisonment conditionally with a probation period of two years.
In court, Kosheev fully admitted his guilt. “The defendant was sentenced to a final punishment according to the totality of sentences in the form of real imprisonment for a term of four years in a general regime correctional colony,” the message on the department’s VKontakte page notes.
- Dmitry Kushch was found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization.
According to the court data, Kushch, without good reason, “on 19 August 2025 during the period of mobilization” failed to appear at the military unit stationed in Volgograd Oblast. “On 3 November 2025, Kushch was discovered in the city of Nartkala by police officers, and from 19 August to 3 November 2025 Kushch spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the publication on the department’s VKontakte page says.
The defendant was sentenced to five years of imprisonment.
- Vyacheslav Afanasenko was found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during mobilization.
According to the court data, Afanasenko, without good reason, “on 27 July 2025 during the period of mobilization” unauthorizedly left the military unit. “On 20 January 2026, Afanasenko was detained at his place of residence in the village of Psynabo by a police officer, and from 27 July 2025 to 20 January 2026 Afanasenko spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence in the city of Nartkala,” the department’s publication on the VKontakte page says.
In court, Afanasenko fully admitted his guilt “and expressed regret for what he had done.” “At the same time, when imposing the punishment, the court took into account the actual circumstances of the case related to the period of Afanasenko’s evasion from military service, the nature and degree of public danger of the act committed by the defendant, who committed a grave crime against military service,” the message notes.
The defendant was sentenced to five years in a general regime colony.
- Aslan Kazharov, who twice unauthorizedly left the military unit during the period of mobilization.
The serviceman Kazharov was found guilty under Part 3.1 and Part 5 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its page on VKontakte.
According to the court data, Kazharov “without good reason on 6 March and 7 August 2025, in both cases during the period of mobilization” failed to appear for service in the military unit.
“In the first case on 27 May 2025, and in the second case on 26 August 2025, Kazharov was discovered by police officers in the village of Psynabo, Urvan District, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, and from 6 March to 27 May 2025 and from 7 to 26 August 2025 he spent time at his own discretion,” the publication says.
The defendant admitted his guilt “and expressed regret for what he had done.” “Kazharov was sentenced to a final punishment in the form of real imprisonment for a term of 6 years in a general regime correctional colony.”
- Islam Eleskhanov was found guilty of evading military service during mobilization.
According to the court data, Eleskhanov, without good reason, on 8 April 2025 – “during the period of mobilization” – failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit.
“On 13 January 2026, Eleskhanov was discovered by police officers in Mozdok, and from 8 April 2025 to 13 January 2026 Eleskhanov spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the publication says.
The defendant fully admitted his guilt “and expressed regret for what he had done.” In addition, the court established that Eleskhanov had been found guilty by the Novocherkassk Garrison Military Court under the article on exceeding official powers and sentenced to imprisonment for three years and three months conditionally.
“Thus, the defendant was sentenced to a final punishment according to the totality of sentences in the form of real imprisonment for a term of 6 years in a general regime correctional colony,” the court reported.
- Georgy Gurtsiev, detained in Kabardino-Balkaria after six months of absence from the unit.
As the court established, Gurtsiev, who was serving in Naro-Fominsk, Moscow Oblast, on 15 July 2025 without good reason failed to appear at the unit “during the period of mobilization.” On 19 January, police officers detained him at the federal control checkpoint in the Zolsky District of Kabardino-Balkaria.
For six months, from 15 July to 19 January, Gurtsiev “spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the press service of the military court reported on the department’s VKontakte page.
In court, the serviceman fully admitted his guilt. The court took into account that Gurtsiev expressed regret for what he had done and imposed the minimum term provided by the article — five years in a general regime colony.
- Beslan Mestaev, who unauthorizedly left the military unit stationed in Ingushetia and was absent for almost a year.
According to the investigation, Mestaev from 17 July 2024, “that is, during the period of mobilization,” unauthorizedly left the military unit stationed in the stanitsa Troitskaya, Sunzhensky District, Ingushetia. He voluntarily arrived at the unit only on 2 July 2025, that is, for almost a year he “spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence.”
In court, Mestaev admitted his guilt, and the court sentenced him to real imprisonment for a term of five years with serving the sentence in a general regime colony.
- Roman Kalekin, who unauthorizedly left the military unit stationed in North Ossetia and was detained by police in Kabardino-Balkaria more than two months later.
The court established that on 25 February last year Kalekin failed to appear for service in the military unit stationed in North Ossetia. On 5 May of the same year he was taken to the police department in Kabardino-Balkaria. At the court session, Kalekin fully admitted his guilt, and the court sentenced him to five years of imprisonment with serving the sentence in a general regime colony.
- Azamat Maryshev was found guilty of unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization.
According to the court data, Maryshev, without good reason, “on 21 July 2025 during the period of mobilization” failed to appear for service in the military unit in Ingushetia.
“On 19 September 2025, Maryshev voluntarily arrived at the military unit, and from 21 July to 19 September 2025 Maryshev spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence,” the message on the department’s VKontakte page says.
In court, the serviceman fully admitted his guilt. The defendant was sentenced to five years in a general regime colony.
- Martin Geloev, who had been absent from his place of service in the military unit for more than a year.
It follows from the indictment that on 24 October 2024 Geloev failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit. On 18 December 2025 he voluntarily arrived at the military investigative detention center in Nalchik. In court, the military man admitted his guilt. The court sentenced him to five years of imprisonment with serving the sentence in a general regime correctional colony.
- Temirkan Bakhov, who failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit. On 24 March, the Nalchik Garrison Military Court delivered a verdict to the serviceman Bakhov, finding him guilty of committing a crime under Part 3.1 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
It follows from the indictment that on 10 February 2026 Bakhov failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit. On 22 February he voluntarily arrived at the military investigative detention center in Nalchik. In court, the military man admitted his guilt, the court’s press service reported on the department’s VKontakte page.
Bakhov had previously been sentenced by the Nalchik Garrison Military Court to two years of imprisonment conditionally with a probation period of two years under the same article. “The defendant was sentenced to a final punishment according to the totality of sentences in the form of real imprisonment for a term of 3 years 6 months in a general regime correctional colony,” the court verdict says.
- Zalimkhan Baisultanov, who during the period of mobilization failed to appear at the military unit at the established time.
It follows from the verdict that on 2 February 2026 Baisultanov failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit. On 16 February he voluntarily arrived at the military investigative department in Mozdok. In court, the military man fully admitted his guilt. The court sentenced him to one year of imprisonment with serving the sentence in a general regime correctional colony.
- Soslan Ambalov, who failed to appear at the military unit during mobilization.
It follows from the verdict that on 1 December 2025 Ambalov failed to appear at the established time for service in the military unit located in Rostov Oblast. On 27 December he was detained at his place of residence by an employee of the military commandant’s office in Mozdok. In court, the military man fully admitted his guilt. The court sentenced him to two years of imprisonment.
Link: https://vk.com/public215822488
In total, only in March 2026, 16 people in Kabardino-Balkaria were sentenced to real terms for unauthorized abandonment of a unit during the period of mobilization*.
At the same time, on 21 September 2022 Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization, and on 28 October of the same year the Minister of Defense reported to the President on its completion, however, the corresponding decree was not issued. Lawyers came to the conclusion that a presidential decree is not needed to complete partial mobilization, Putin’s press secretary explained.
It is important that all the above-described incidents occurred much later than 28 October 2022, that is, after the completion of partial mobilization.
On 24 September 2022, Parts 2.1, 3.1 and 5 of Article 337 on unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service during the period of mobilization were introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The amendments provide for imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years. The tightening of laws after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit.
Activists Against the SVO
Many national activists spoke out against the participation of their people in the invasion of Ukraine. Thus, the leading Circassian activist Ibragim Yaganov was the first to state about this, saying that “this is not our war”. In March 2026, similar conclusions were voiced by Aidamir Kazanokov:
“Circassians are not allowed to be a people — but they can be expendable material.
In Nalchik, in Kabardino-Balkaria, Circassians are prohibited from holding rallies, processions and any forms of self-organization. We are not allowed to be a people in our own home: we cannot hold Adyge Jegu — traditional games, we cannot fully celebrate 14 March — Circassian Language Day, we cannot celebrate 25 April — Circassian Flag Day, we cannot honor the memory of those who fell for the freedom of Circassia on 20 May, we cannot go out on a procession on 21 May on the anniversary of the end of the Russo-Circassian war of 1763–1864.
But under the same national-ideological and religious sauce — we can go to someone else’s war. We can die for the interests of the state that destroyed our country, scattered the people and still prohibits us from restoring historical memory and developing our own culture. The only question is: why are we not allowed to live as a people — but we can die as a resource?”
https://t.me/The_Circassian_Times/14514
He also noted: “Lately, calls to join volunteer battalions have been heard more and more often. Newspapers, contract service advertising and interviews with front-line soldiers create the feeling that young people should strive more and more to go to war.
The head of the volunteer unit ‘Elbrus’ calls to follow him and talks about ‘comfortable conditions’ at the front. When the combat zone is described as ‘a sanatorium with a religious bias’, a feeling of absurdity arises. Halal food and rooms for prayer are decent living conditions, but can they be an argument for participating in the heaviest military conflict?
The national environment, language and faith should unite and preserve the people, and not serve as a beautiful wrapper for attracting people to the combat zone.”
https://t.me/The_Circassian_Times/14515
Conclusion
The events covered in the report for March 2026 in Kabardino-Balkaria represent a visualization of a stable vector toward the consistent prolonged violation of basic human rights. A disturbing aspect of the repressions has become the more frequent cases of judicial prosecution of minors, which also works as a blow to the national gene pool. Under cases of “fakes”, “discreditation” and “financing” people of the most diverse age categories are being tried — from teenagers to pensioners. At the same time, ten natives of the KBR aged 18 to 60 were added to the register of individuals with information about their involvement in extremist activities or terrorism formed by Rosfinmonitoring.
The trend toward the population’s interest in radical religious directions as the only hypothetically feasible method of social protest is strengthening.
Particular attention is required by the number of cases on charges of leaving a unit during the period of mobilization — direct evidence that residents of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, despite the threat of imprisonment, in every possible way tried to avoid involvement in the war against Ukraine. Contract soldiers from the republic were among the first in the Russian Federation to massively refuse to go to the front, popular gatherings against the announced military mobilization actively took place in the capital of the republic. Human rights defenders of the republic demanded to stop taking residents to the war, as this actually leads to the “extermination of the gene pool”. Kabardino-Balkaria is a republic where the systemic and growing tendency to ignore generally accepted standards for the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens requires close attention from the international community.