[Global Issue+] Why Chechen Forces, Once Against Russia, Took the Lead in the Ukraine Invasion

Nearly 20 Years of War with Russia... Now Pro-Russian Region
Dictator Kadyrov Called Putin's Closest Ally

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russia, which invaded Ukraine, is reported to have hired soldiers from the Chechen Republic?known for their notorious brutality?as mercenaries and deployed them en masse to the Ukrainian front, concerns over civilian casualties are growing. In particular, attention is focused on the background of Chechen forces being dispatched to assist Russia, given that Chechnya fought two wars against Russia in the past.

According to the New York Times (NYT) and major foreign media on the 19th (local time), Ramzan Kadyrov, the dictator currently ruling Chechnya, stated in a Telegram message on the 15th, "We have sent Chechen warriors to participate in Russia's invasion of Ukraine," and claimed, "We can easily capture large cities including Kyiv."

There are reports that he was spotted meeting with soldiers near Hostomel, close to Kyiv, suggesting his direct involvement in the conflict. It is presumed that, in response to Russia's request for participation, special forces were dispatched to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials, as well as to turn the tide on the front lines.

Chechen Dictator Kadyrov, Putin’s Closest Ally

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Considering that Chechnya fought two wars against Russia for nearly 20 years until 2009 after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, this deployment seems difficult to understand. However, the current dictator of Chechnya, Kadyrov, is known as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies.

Chechnya became a stronghold of pro-Putin forces starting from the Second Chechen War in 1999. During that war, Chechnya was divided into the anti-Russian and Islamist fundamentalist-led "Ichkeria Chechen Republic" and the pro-Russian Chechen Republic. After 2009, the Ichkeria Chechen forces were almost eradicated by Russia’s harsh suppression operations. Since then, the Chechen region has become an autonomous republic within the Russian Federation.

Notably, during that war, then-Prime Minister Putin, who advocated a hardline approach against Ichkeria Chechnya, defeated the incumbent President Boris Yeltsin in the presidential election and took office. His more than 20 years in power began with the war against Chechnya. Since then, the pro-Russian Chechen autonomous republic and dictator Kadyrov have been considered strong supporters and closest allies of Putin.

Concerns Over Massacre Without Regard to Means... Indiscriminate Attacks on Civilians

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The international community is concerned that the participation of Chechen forces will increase civilian casualties in Ukraine. The Chechen forces have extensive experience as key mercenary units for the Putin regime, having participated not only in the Chechen wars but also in the Syrian civil war and major conflicts in Africa.

Above all, they are notorious for their extremely brutal suppression operations. In 1999, when Chechnya invaded the neighboring autonomous republic of Dagestan following a border dispute, videos showing the beheading of both soldiers and civilians were released, drawing international condemnation. They also carried out indiscriminate massacres against Russian troops, who were their enemies at the time, which contributed to the spread of hardline suppression policies within Russia.

Chechen urban suppression strategies mainly involved "ethnic cleansing" that devastated civilian areas, leading the international community to refer to these operations as "Chechen Clear." Given that Ukraine is already suffering heavy damage from Russia’s indiscriminate bombings of civilian residential areas, there are growing fears that the war in Ukraine could sink even deeper into a quagmire.