October 31, 2023

An Unwelcome Arrival


An Unwelcome Arrival
Protesters in Dagestan about to surround an airplane from Israel. Youtube, Meduza.

On September 29, a group of protesters in the Makhachkala, Dagestan airport surrounded and attempted to storm a plane that landed from Tel Aviv, Israel.

Before the flight arrived, Telegram channels began circulating information about a flight with evacuees from Israel arriving in Dagestan. They called for people to gather at the airport and stop cars to check passengers' passports. Protesters even stopped an OMON (riot police) van. One passenger who was encircled by picketers was let go after saying he was Russian and showing his Russian passport. He was allegedly told, "We are not touching non-Jews today."

A few hours later, protesters broke into the airport itself, chanting antisemitic slurs. Staffers locked themselves inside their offices. The police called through a megaphone to refrain from unlawful activity, such as blocking roads, but said they understood the protesters and were ready to chant with them. Police did not intervene until the crowd broke through to the tarmac and headed toward the plane.

At that point, the airport was temporarily shut down. Authorities opened an investigation and said they would use CCTV footage to identify rioters. 

Israel's siege and bombardments of Gaza, in response to Hamas' October 7 terrorist attacks, have sparked international outrage and protests. Chechnya and Dagestan, predominantly Muslim regions, have expressed a strong connection to Palestinians. Dagestani wrestler Islam Makhachev has voiced solidarity with Gazans. Flights between Tel Aviv and Makhachala, Dagestan, are common as a connection flight to Moscow, as direct flights to the Russian capital are more expensive.

Only a few hours prior, the Head of Dagestan asked the population to refrain from acts of violence in response to Israel's actions in Gaza. Over the past few days, though, a series of anti-Semitic incidents have occurred across the North Caucasus. A Jewish cultural center was set on fire, and there was an attack on a hotel where, allegedly, people who left Israel were staying.

You Might Also Like

Laying Low
  • August 15, 2023

Laying Low

The tale of René Coignard, who changed his name and spent six months hiding in a wooden hut to escape the draft.
US Reroutes Aid
  • October 27, 2023

US Reroutes Aid

Thousands of artillery shells meant for Ukraine will be sent to Israel to replenish depleted U.S. stocks.
Escaping the Draft – in Israel
  • October 23, 2023

Escaping the Draft – in Israel

Russian-Israelis want to return to Russia to avoid being drafted into Israel's military. But Russia is also conscripting.
Russia Reacts to Gaza War
  • October 16, 2023

Russia Reacts to Gaza War

400 Russians asked to be evacuated from Gaza as Israel ordered the evacuation of 1.1 million people.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955