Stories from Astrakhan · Russia

A ship equipped with caliber missiles, described as a "really ship," is located in the Caspian Sea.

Prosecutors determined that donations intended for an animal shelter were diverted to the personal account of founder Yulia Khamtsova. A dog held without treatment for ten days during a fundraising drive died at a paid boarding facility.

Prosecutors found that donations were diverted to the personal account of founder Yulia Khamtsova and a clinic she owned. One dog died at a paid boarding facility after being held without medicine for 10 days. Former deputy Andriy Ustroy allegedly obtained municipal contracts for dog catching and maintenance in Astrakhan in January 2026. The source claims Ustroy submitted fraudulent reports for completed work to extract over 28 million rubles from the budget. Volunteers reported animal abuse at the shelters. Approximately 50 dead dogs were found on the roadside near Komyshlov in late March 2026. Volunteers suspect shelter employees discarded the animals. Former deputy Andrey Nevlyudov received a 9-year prison sentence in connection with an animal shelter fraud case. His company allegedly misappropriated 64.5 million rubles intended for the catching and maintenance of dogs.

Dmitry Sotnikov of the Kamazmaster team won the first stage of the Russian Rally Raid Championship. Sotnikov achieved the best time at the Golden Kagan in the Astrakhan region. Bogdan Karimov, also representing Kamazmaster, finished in second place. Sergey Vizovich completed the top three. The source noted that Kristina Yesinskaya finished behind the leaders with a score of 15-8.

Hundreds of thousands of Mongolians have settled in the Volga region, with many seeking refuge under the Crimean Khan or Russian protection in Astrakhan, Tsaritsyn, and Saratov. Following the formation of the Kalmyk Khanate, the majority of Kalmyks gathered on the Volga. The steppes previously occupied by them have since been gradually resettled by Kazakhs. Historical records indicate that the Kalmyks, a Mongol group, occupied the steppes in the 17th century before the Kazakhs. Kazakh historians' maps depicting the Kazakh Khanate on this territory in the 17th century are considered inaccurate by some accounts. At that time, the Kazakhs resided further south.