Ukraine's MFA responds to Russia’s claims of involvement in pogroms in Makhachkala

This was stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko.

"The events in Makhachkala reflect the deep-rooted anti-Semitism of Russian elites and society. Threats to kill Jews are the result of Russian state propaganda, which has been cultivating a sense of hatred for other peoples among Russians for decades. Let us recall that not so long ago, President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov made offensive anti-Semitic statements," Nikolenko writes.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's accusation of Ukraine's involvement in the events in Dagestan is groundless.

"This is an attempt to shift the blame from ourselves to others. We are deeply convinced that the international community should strongly oppose manifestations of racism in Russia and anywhere in the world," Nikolenko added.

Anti-Semitic riots in Russia's Dagestan

On Sunday, October 29, several thousand people protested against a plane carrying Israelis at the airport in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan. The protesters are chanting slogans in support of Palestine.

Hundreds of people stormed the airport and the landing site. They were looking for Israeli citizens and demanded to "expel the Jews" from the republic. The Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry say they are following the events in Dagestan and expect Russian law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews.

The head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, accused a Telegram channel of inciting anti-Semitic riots, allegedly involving "traitors and Banderites" from Ukraine.