On Sunday, September 15, celebrations dedicated to the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Dagestan and the 25th anniversary of the defeat of terrorists who invaded the region in 1999 took place at the Ali Aliyev Sports Palace in Kaspiysk.

In 1999, militants under the command of Shamil Basayev and Khattab invaded Botlikh municipal district of the republic. Ordinary Dagestani militiamen took part in fierce battles and, together with law enforcement agencies, repelled the extremists.

The solemn event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the victory over international terrorists commenced with a grand historical and patriotic performance. The actors presented the historical development of Dagestan in the context of Russia's broader historical trajectory. The event was attended by Heroes of Russia, representatives of the authorities, law-enforcement bodies, militiamen who took part in those events in 1999, as well as the Defense Ministry servicemen.

The prologue concluded with a transmission of a speech delivered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the militia in Botlikh in 1999, following the defeat of the terrorists.