The Islamic State group announced the creation of its northernmost province this week, after accepting a formal pledge of allegiance from former al Qaeda militants in the North Caucasus region of Russia.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
International Business Times: How Russian militants declared a new ISIS ‘state’ in Russia’s North Caucasus

Syrian army soldiers get in position during clashes with Islamic State (IS) group jihadists in northeastern Palmyra on May 17, 2015.