The Riot That Shut Makhachkala Airport
An antisemitic mob stormed an airport in Dagestan, forcing a closure and flight diversions.
On October 29, 2023, a crowd stormed Uytash Airport as a flight from Tel Aviv arrived. Human Rights Watch documented that the mob sought passengers from Israel. ACLED traced the breach to a rally amid Gaza-war demonstrations and rumours about Jewish arrivals.
The aviation authority suspended arrivals and departures after the breach. The airport reopened on October 30, while selected flights from Tel Aviv were temporarily diverted. The reopening and continued diversions describe distinct effects of the same incident.
Police and transport records by country
What local records show outside campus
A December 2024 judgment records at least ₽24,714,300 in damage to the airport operator’s property. The operator’s director separately reported approximately ₽20 million spent on restoration in January 2024. The earlier ₽285 million figure was preliminary. These figures have different definitions and should not be added. Judgment reproduced by SudAct. Airport director statement reported by AviaStat.
The figures are neither additive nor a time series. The judgment itemises damage to the operator’s property. The director discussed spending on restoration. Neither measures police expenditure or airlines’ lost revenue.