Ministry of Internal Affairs of Karachay-Cherkessia issues a warning

On October 29, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Karachay-Cherkessia issued a warning about administrative and criminal liability for participation in unauthorized mass events.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted, "There was no violation of public order and security. Thirty-four violators were taken to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs department in Cherkessk for violating the procedure for holding a rally."

"Any attempts to violate public order will be immediately suppressed, and those responsible will be brought to justice by Russian legislation," the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

North Ossetia head: "Anti-Israeli actions in Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia are a provocation planned from outside"

Sergey Menyaylo, the head of North Ossetia, said that anti-Israeli actions in Karachay-Cherkessia and Dagestan, where protesters stormed the airport and tried to attack passengers from Israel,  are a provocation planned from outside.

"The North Caucasus is a multinational and multi-religious region! We have always been and are proud of our warm attitude towards each other - regardless of nationality and religion. I am sure that the surge in xenophobia that we are now seeing in neighboring regions is fueled from outside our country!" he said. Menyaylo noted that he understands the feelings of Muslims who want to express support for Palestine. "But support does not mean that you need to show aggression towards people of any nationality, these are completely different things," he emphasized.

"Friends, we are now fighting an insidious and dangerous enemy who does not disdain the most inhumane methods. You need to understand this and keep a cool head! Don't believe fakes and calls for protests! We cannot allow our society to be undermined from within! Because our strength is in unity!" the head of North Ossetia called.

Reaction from Israel and Ukraine

"The Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the Foreign Ministry, and the National Security Council are monitoring developments in Dagestan in southern Russia," the departments said in a joint statement.

"Israel expects Russian law enforcement agencies to protect the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews, wherever they are, and to act decisively against pogromists and wild incitement directed against Jews and Israelis," the statement added.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the head of Ukraine, responded to anti-Israeli actions in Dagestan. "Russian anti-Semitism and hatred of other peoples are systemic and deeply rooted," the Ukrainian leader said.

Supreme Mufti of Dagestan calls on residents to stop attacks

Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, the Supreme Mufti [Islamic jurist qualified to issue a nonbinding opinion] of Dagestan, called on the residents of the republic to stop attacking the Makhachkala airport. 

In a video message, the mufti called for patience and assured that the issue would be resolved by other methods. "As for today’s action, I sincerely tell you, you are mistaken. This issue cannot be resolved in this way. We understand very much, we perceive this very painfully, but still, the fact that a plane from Israel is flying here, you cannot ban it with such actions. We will talk with the relevant people and try to resolve these issues differently. Not with emotions, not with rallies, but accordingly," the mufti said.

Sergey Melikov: "Recent actions gross violation of the law"

Sergey Melikov, the head of Dagestan, said that the actions of those gathered at the Makhachkala airport today are a gross violation of the law.

"There is no courage in waiting in a crowd for unarmed people who have not done anything prohibited. There is no determination to break into the airport territory. There is no honor in swearing at strangers, reaching into their pockets, and trying to check their passports! There are no good intentions in attacking women with children who were treated abroad," Melikov said.

He noted, "All the participants in today's lawlessness, by their actions, stuck a knife in the backs of those who gave their lives for the security of the Motherland - both in 1999 when we stopped international terrorists on the threshold of Dagestan, and today, when our fellow countrymen are fighting the Nazis in the Northern Military District zone, representing the republic with dignity."

"All Dagestanis empathize with the suffering of victims of the actions of unrighteous people and politicians and pray for peace in Palestine," the head of the region noted. "But what happened at our airport is outrageous and should receive an appropriate assessment from law enforcement agencies! And this will definitely be done," Melikov assured.

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia takes control over the issue

On October 30, Alexander Bastrykin, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, took control over the progress of the investigation into the criminal case of mass unrest in Dagestan.

The Investigative Committee noted, "Calls were posted on various social media accounts to organize mass unrest for the population of the Republic of Dagestan to take part in protests in the area of the Makhachkala International Airport."

"On October 29, at approximately 20.00, currently unidentified persons, while on the territory of the airport, accompanying their actions with riots and violence, providing armed resistance to law enforcement officers, using objects that pose a danger to others, entered the protected territory of the airport and subsequently the runway - to the plane arriving from Israel, to the airport premises, where pogroms were carried out," the message added.