Man from Daghestan compelled to issue video apology due to children damaging depictions of soldiers.
In the Caucasus region, a man was compelled to publicly apologise after his children damaged portraits of soldiers who had fought in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The incident occurred during a walk with the children's grandfather, and the damage appears to have been caused by a ballpoint pen and crayons.
The photographs were displayed on billboards as part of a campaign by regional authorities in Daghestan. Such boards and banners have appeared in Makhachkala and other cities of Daghestan after the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and are regularly updated.
Regional authorities have described the incident as 'desecration' and 'an act of vandalism'. Makhachkala Mayor Dzhambulat Salavov arrived at the scene and stated that the actions could not be regarded as mere hooliganism. At least four photographs in Makhachkala were damaged in the incident.
The father, who did not reveal his name or the names of his children in the video, expressed that there was no malicious intent behind the children's behaviour, stating it was just childish mischief. The children involved in the incident are likely not older than 10 years old.
The damage to the photographs has sparked concern and discussion about the state of independent journalism in the region, which is under threat. However, a newsroom is being built by a community of readers to counter this threat.
As of August, at least 1,642 soldiers from Daghestan have been confirmed to have been killed in the war in Ukraine, according to Mediazona and the BBC. The installation of billboards with photographs of participants in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is part of a broader effort to commemorate and honour these fallen soldiers.
Salavov, the mayor, has promised that the damaged photographs would be replaced. The video of the apology was published by the Telegram channel Criminal Chronicle, believed to be linked to law enforcement. Despite the incident, the people of Daghestan continue to grapple with the changes and challenges that the Caucasus region is experiencing.
