Vladimir Putin congratulated Fyodor Shchukin on his election as the head of Dagestan Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with the head of Dagestan Fyodor Shchukin and congratulated him on his election. The president called the republic a multinational region and an outpost of Russia in the Caucasus. The head of state emphasized the importance of preserving the traditional religion and culture of the Dagestans, as well as the development of the region's economy and industry. He especially noted the courage and heroism of the people of the republic participating in a special military operation and serving in the Russian armed forces.