Islam Makhachev highlights Dagestan's construction crisis amid flooding

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev drew attention to Dagestan's chaotic construction problems, calling Makhachkala "one messy construction site." Seventeen days ago, as flooding ravaged Dagestan, Makhachev appealed to regional leadership to address the construction issue, highlighting how the capital has been overtaken by poorly planned development. He recently reposted content from geographer Dmitry Koryukhin, a school teacher from Yaroslavl who has lived in the Caucasus for six years and was named Dagestan's Teacher of the Year in 2025. Koryukhin shared aerial photographs of Makhachkala showcasing what he described as an "urban catastrophe" with low-quality residential complexes built tightly together, numerous unauthorized structures, and excessive development. The post notes this is a broader Russian problem, with massive apartment complexes being built in cities with stagnant or declining populations, many standing half-empty. The author praises Makhachev for recognizing and publicizing this critical issue.