Security forces are handing out warnings en masse to residents of Kabardino-Balkaria ahead of the republic's day of mourning on May 21.

Kabardino-BalkarianThe regional human rights center published an open appeal to the head of the republic To Kazbek Kokov demanding an end to pressure on people wishing to honor the memory of their ancestors. The reason was that a week before the Day of Remembrance of the Adyghe (Circassians) Victims of the Russo-Caucasian War (1763–1864), traditionally celebrated on May 21, citizens began receiving official warnings against participating in the memorial procession.

"There is a deliberate, calculated attempt to delegitimize the Day of Mourning itself and criminalize any participation in it, threatening the recipients of the 'Warning' with administrative and criminal measures," — stated in the appeal.

In 2025, security forces detained at least eight protesters. A court soon sentenced them to administrative arrest for three to ten days under charges of participating in an unauthorized rally. 

Mourning events on the days of the end of the Caucasian War in Nalchik have not been officially held since 2020: first they were cancelled due to anti-Covid restrictions, and then memorial marches were banned due to the war in Ukraine.