Protests erupted at an airport in Russia’s Caucasus republic of Dagestan as rumors circulated about an incoming flight from Israel. The incident saw a group of demonstrators, motivated by anger and concerns regarding the Gaza war, forcefully enter the airport premises, leading to a temporary closure.
Videos shared on social media, as well as reports from Russia’s RT and Izvestia media, depicted the chaotic scene, with dozens of protesters breaching doors and security barriers. Some even ventured onto the airport’s runway. Responding swiftly, Russia’s aviation agency, Rossavitsia, announced the suspension of both incoming and outgoing flights and deployed security forces to manage the situation.
A statement issued by the government of Russia’s Dagestan Republic on Telegram assured the public that “the situation is under control, and law enforcement is working at the scene.”
In a subsequent update, Rossavitsia reported that the airport had been cleared of the protesters but would remain closed until November 6.
Images and videos from local Telegram channels captured the presence of croud individuals outside the airport, stopping vehicles, and attempting to dismantle security barriers. One protester held a sign reading, “Child killers have no place in Dagestan.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement in the evening, expressing the expectation that Russian authorities would safeguard Israeli citizens and Jews while taking decisive action against the demonstrators and inciters of violence.
Akhmed Dudayev, the minister of information in Dagestan’s neighboring Chechnya, urged calm and cautioned against provocations in response to mounting tensions in the Caucasus region. The situation underscores the complexities of global conflicts and their potential to spark unrest far beyond the immediate areas of conflict.
