Russia Cites ‘External Interference’ in Anti-Israel Airport Riot

On Monday, Russia attributed the disturbance at an airport in the Muslim-majority region of Dagestan to “external interference,” which had led to an anti-Israel riot the day before.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained to reporters, “The events at Makhachkala airport yesterday can largely be attributed to external influences.”

Russian authorities reported the arrest of 60 individuals on Monday, suspected of participating in the airport’s breach with the intent to harm Jewish passengers arriving from Israel.

A crowd of protesters, many of whom were chanting “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest), forcibly entered Makhachkala airport on Sunday, breaking through doors and barriers, with some even reaching the runway.

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Peskov elaborated on the situation, stating, “Amidst the backdrop of televised images depicting the tragic events in the Gaza Strip, including the loss of lives, including those of children and the elderly, it becomes increasingly susceptible to exploitation by adversaries, who may seek to exacerbate the situation.”

However, the Kremlin did not offer additional information regarding their claim of “external interference.”

Earlier reports from state media quoted Dagestan’s governor, who identified the “instigators of this incident as our adversaries orchestrating it from Ukrainian territory.”

In response to these events, President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to convene a meeting later on Monday with top advisers, including the defense minister and intelligence chiefs, to discuss “the Western attempts to exploit Middle Eastern events to sow division within Russian society,” as conveyed by Peskov.