Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev signed agreements in the Kremlin with Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh and South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity that give Russia responsibility for defense of the borders between Georgia and the two breakaway republics.

VOA: standard.2009.04.30

Magomedsalam Magomedov was nominated for the leadership of the republic by Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev on 8 February 2010.

BBC: Dagestan profile