Kaspiysk is a city in Dagestan, Russia, located on the Caspian Sea, 18 km southeast of Makhachkala. The 2010 Russian census recorded the city as being the fourth-largest in Dagestan. It is a working-class satellite city to Makhachkala.

Geography

Climate

Kaspiysk has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSk).

History

The city is one of the newer urban centers in Dagestan. It began in 1932 as a worker's encampment, servicing the needs of the nearby naval diesel engine manufacturer, Dagdizel. At the time, it was called Dvigatelstroy (Дви́гательстро́й), based upon the Russian word for "engine". During World War II, the site saw much growth due to the war effort, and became a center for major arms producers. In 1947, the settlement received the status of a city, and was given its current name, reflecting its location on the shores of the Caspian Sea. On November 16, 1996, 68 people were killed in a Chechen bomb attack targeting an apartment. On May 9, 2002, 43 people were killed after a bombing during a Victory Day Parade. On November 6, 2024, Ukraine launched its first drone attack on the Kaspiysk naval base with an A-22 reportedly damaging two Gepard-class frigates and one Buyan-class corvette of the Caspian Flotilla and causing the nearby Makhachkala airport to halt operations. According to Russian social media the attack comprised four drones one of which crashed near a road causing a civilian to be hospitalized.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as the City of Kaspiysk—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the City of Kaspiysk is incorporated as Kaspiysk Urban Okrug.

Demographics

Population:. Ethnic groups (2021 census):

Religion

Predominant faiths of Kaspiysk city are Sunni Islam and Orthodox Christianity.

Islam

Russian Orthodox

The city belongs to the Diocese of Makhachkala. Kaspiysk parish was formed in 1990 with the blessings of the Metropolitan of Stavropol and Baku, and was officially registered in 1994. In 2000, the community consecrated St. Kazan Church.

Seventh Day Adventists

In 2010, the Seventh Day Adventists dedicated a house of worship in the city. It became the target of two explosives attacks within two months.

Economy

The city is home to: At the North side of the city is a seaport.

Sports

The city hosts the Anzhi Arena stadium, home to the FC Anzhi Makhachkala Russian football club, which competes in the Russian Football Premier League. The city was to bid to host the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, however the bid was abandoned due to a lack of government support.

Notable people

Miscellaneous

The city is home to a large naval storage facility that houses Russian hovercraft and ekranoplans.

Sources