Last month, Fortanga, an independent news outlet from the republic of Ingushetia in Russia’s North Caucasus, broke the news that the neighboring republic of North Ossetia-Alania was plotting to redraw the two regions’ shared border.
Documents obtained by Fortanga revealed that North Ossetian officials were hoping to incorporate parts of Ingushetia’s Dzheyrakhsky district, sparking outrage among residents of Ingushetia. This move reignited suppressed emotions due to historical injustices perpetrated against the Ingush people, including forced deportations and territorial losses.
The threat of losing more territory to North Ossetia has galvanized the people of Ingushetia to speak out against the border deal, despite past repressions and fear of expressing dissent. The potential border redraw signifies a risk of escalating ethnic tensions and violence in the region, as seen in the past conflicts between Chechnya and Ingushetia.
While protests and letters of opposition signal a unified resistance from Ingush officials and residents, there are concerns that the Kremlin might support the border deal, raising fears of further political instability and unrest in the North Caucasus.