Russia sends troops to Adygea Republic to disperse protests

Suspected sabotage attempt on gas pipeline in Takhtamukaysky District

The National Guard of Russia and OMON riot police have been deployed to the Adygea Republic in southern Russia to disperse protests and quell unrest following a suspected sabotage attempt on a gas pipeline in the Takhtamukaysky District. The authorities have declared a state of emergency in the region and have imposed a curfew.

What happened?

On Friday, July 29, 2023, a gas pipeline in the Takhtamukaysky District of the Adygea Republic was damaged by an explosion. The explosion caused a large fire and sent plumes of black smoke into the sky. There were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities.

The authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, but they have not ruled out the possibility of sabotage. The pipeline is owned by Shell, and the company has said that it is cooperating with the investigation.

What is the situation now?

The situation in the Adygea Republic is tense. The authorities have deployed a large number of troops to the region, and they have declared a state of emergency. A curfew has been imposed, and people are being told to stay indoors.

There have been reports of protests in the region, and the authorities have used force to disperse the crowds. There have also been reports of arrests and detentions.

What is the reaction from the international community?

The international community has expressed concern about the situation in the Adygea Republic. The United States has called on the Russian authorities to respect the rights of protesters and to avoid using excessive force.

The European Union has also expressed concern about the situation and has called on the Russian authorities to ensure that the rights of protesters are respected.