Chechen security services in Ukraine

Ramzan Kadyrov told a press conference that resolving the “Ukrainian problematic issue” should not be the concern of the Russian president, but of regional-level leadership.

In a direct broadcast on Instagram, Ramzan Kadyrov said that, as president, he would “long have taken Ukraine”. He subsequently clarified that he was expressing a personal opinion.

Conflict Intelligence Team reported that a column of military equipment belonging to the Groznyy OMON and Rosgvardia was relocated to near Ukraine to participate in exercises and operations. Unconfirmed and called into question by cited experts.

Ramzan Kadyrov called on Zelenskiy to observe the Minsk Accords. Preempting criticism, he said it was just his personal opinion.

An Instagram account belonging to an aide of Ramzan Kadyrov, ya_pomoshnik_kra_95, published under stories a video shot in an airplane, announcing that they were landing soon. This prompted rumours they were landing in Donbass or elsewhere in Ukraine. The same account and that of ChGTRK Groznyy posted a photo of Chechen security services praying in a forest.

The first unconfirmed report of Chechen forces deploying. No confirmation of location. This came before Putin’s announcement of a “special military operation.”

Caucasian Knot claimed that one of the people shown praying in the forest (see 85a42d88-3e89-45de-873f-3368721b0604) resembled the commander of Yug. It didn’t name the commander, but Khuseyn Mezhidov occupied the role at this time.

First identified Chechen individual and unit.

Ramzan Kadyrov announced that Chechen fighters were prepared to deploy, on a voluntary basis, to Ukraine’s hottest spots.

The Chechen authorities gathered 12,000 security service personnel in Groznyy. Ramzan Kadyrov declared that they were prepared to fulfil any order from the president and warned Zelenskiy to seek forgiveness from Putin before he became the former president of Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov told journalists that 70,000 Chechen security service personnel were ready to deploy to Ukraine on a voluntary basis, but that no decision had yet been taken. His comments followed a 12,000-strong gathering of Chechen security service personnel in Groznyy.

Kadyrov sought to demonstrate his capacity and willingness to support the war in Ukraine — but at this stage purely on a hypothetical level.

ChGTRK Director Chingiz Akhmadov used his Instagram account to challenge Kadyrov’s opponents to travel to Ukraine, where “Kadyrovtsy are part of the Russian army.” He specifically named Tumso Abdurakhmanov, Khasan Khalitov, Anzor Maskhadov, and Akhmed Zakayev.

The statement constituted official confirmation that Chechen security service personnel were deployed in Ukraine.

According to a security service source cited by Caucasian Knot, the troops who gathered in Groznyy returned to their bases after the 12,000-strong gathering in Groznyy (see 2f9e4162-c500-49da-9c99-6e54fe61bca1).

Ramzan Kadyrov and Magomed Daudov posted to Telegram and Instagram respectively a video showing a Chechen flag with Akhmat Kadyrov’s face at the gates of a base of Ukraine’s National Guard.

Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video to social media in which he said Chechen forces had deployed to Ukraine to fulfil Putin’s orders and defend the Ukrainian people, as well as settle “personal religious scores.” The latter threat was directed towards those “who say they are waiting for us” — presumably a reference to pro-Ukrainian Chechens. Kadyrov claimed that Chechen forces had seized equipment and arms belonging to Ukraine’s National Guard.

This is the first confirmation by Ramzan Kadyrov that Chechen forces had deployed to Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov denied rumours that Chechen security service personnel, including two unit commanders — 141 Motorised Regiment commander Magomed Tushayev and OMON Akhmat-Groznyy commander Anzor Bisayev — had been killed. Kadyrov said they were alive and fighting.

In denying their deaths, Kadyrov confirmed the involvement of both commanders in the conflict.

Ramzan Kadyrov used his Telegram channel to call for a tougher approach to military operations, specifically mentioning Kharkiv and Kyiv as places that needed to be cleared. He did not say that Chechen forces were operating there.

Akhmed Zakayev, prime minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile, issued a public message to Zelenskiy, in which he offered to send Chechens living in Europe to support Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Chechen Mufti Salakh Mezhiyev called Chechen involvement in Russia’s “special military operation” a “jihad.”

Abdulbek Taramov and Tamirlan Isayev — the first confirmed Chechen natives killed in Ukraine — were buried in Chechnya. Their families were promised a million rubles each from the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation, with another million due from each of the Defence Ministry and the federal budget. The qadi of Kurchaloyevskiy Rayon, Said-Khasan Vakayev, spoke at their funeral — suggesting they came from their.

IDs of first confirmed killed in Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on his Telegram channel that two Chechen natives had been killed and six wounded in Ukraine. No location was given.

These were the first officially confirmed losses in Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov used his Telegram channel to threaten Chechens and Ukrainians, saying “we want to be done with you, in one place and once and for all.” A video showed people in camouflage, marching in snow.

Ramzan Kadyrov used his Telegram channel to promise $500,000 for the heads of Ukrainian battalions and a Chechen battalion fighting for Ukraine. The Azov and Dudayev battalions were specifically mentioned.

Ramzan Kadyrov used his Telegram channel to appeal to President Putin not to stop the special operation. He insisted that he was expressing both his own opinion and that of other participants in the operation. He claimed Russian forces were achieving “excellent results” and that Russia “does not need” negotiations with Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video to his Telegram channel showing Chechen security service personnel checking the phones of local residents. No location was given.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on his Telegram channel that Chechen forces had occupied a Ukrainian population centre, but did not specify which one. After a “careful purge [zachistka]” they moved on. An accompanying video showed OMON Akhmat-Groznyy commander Anzor Bisayev accompanying a woman home. Two further videos featured a fighter identified only as Beno, who promised to fulfil any order.

Experts cited by Caucasian Knot claimed that Chechen forces were responsible for clearing territory and protecting facilities, playing only a secondary support role to the main military operation.

Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram account that Yug commander Khuseyn Mezhidov had reported on “the latest liberation of a population centre” in Ukraine. Kadyrov claimed that no local residents had voiced complaints about Chechen fighters; on the contrary, he insisted that they had welcomed them.

This is the first official confirmation of Mezhidov’s deployment

Ramzan Kadyrov announced that the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation had supplied armoured cars to DNR head Denis Pushilin and LNR head Leonid Pasechnik, and 80 tonnes of food to residents of Melitopol. The handover was overseen by Ruslan Gonchayev, representative of the Chechen Republic to Rostov Oblast

This is the first time a location is given in official accounts of the Chechen role

Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Reporting on Ramzan Kadyrov’s reported visit to Ukraine, Kommersant cited unspecified media as noting that Daniil Martynov had already been in Ukraine for two weeks.

This would place Daniil Martynov’s earliest involvement in Ukraine at the end of February/beginning of March 2022.

ChGTRK Groznyy was one of several Telegram channels to post a video showing Ramzan Kadyrov meeting with security service personnel. No time or location was given, but the inference was that he was visiting the area of the “special military operation.” Kadyrov was accompanied by Daniil Martynov.

This is the first time Kadyrov himself claimed he travelled to Ukraine.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitriy Peskov said that he had no information on Kadyrov’s visit to Ukraine.

In a Telegram post, Ramzan Kadyrov confirmed that he had travelled to Ukraine and reported that Adam Delimkhanov was also there. A video showed Delimkhanov near a road sign for Bezimenne (Безiменне) and in a school. Kadyrov said the video was filmed in Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast.

This is the first official report of Adam Delimkhanov’s deployment, and also the first time that activity in Kyiv Oblast is identified.

Bezimenne, Kyiv Oblast; Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast

Caucasian Knot reported that, based on official statistics, only two deaths of Chechen fighters had been reported thus far. This compared to 25 for Dagestan, 15 for North Ossetia, eight from Ingushetia, six each from Kabardino-Balkaria and Stavropol Kray, and four from Karachayevo-Cherkessia.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on his Telegram channel that Adam Delimkhanov had helped prepare the plan for storming the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. An accompanying video montage shows Delimkhanov discussing plans with Chechen commanders.

Delimkhanov is portrayed as an active participant in the conflict, even though he has no legal authority to command Chechen fighters.

Azovstal steel plant, Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast

Aleksandr Khodakovskiy, commander of the DNR Interior Ministry’s Vostok Battalion, claimed that Chechen security service forces — comprising units from extradepartmental security and traffic police and arriving in Mariupol for combat operations — were not highly trained. Khodakovskiy characterised them as possessing “lightly armoured vehicles, no support means, no preparatory work.” He also claimed that Chechen fighters were under orders to seize territory quickly and perform a role that they weren’t equipped for.

Khodakovskiy identifies extradepartmental security and traffic police, but not specific units.

Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that a thousand volunteers had deployed from Chechnya. He said they were led by Apti Alaudinov, identified as an aide to the head of the Chechen Republic for the security bloc.

This is the first official report of Alaudinov’s involvement.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that Chechen fighters were participating in the storming of Mariupol.

Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast

Adam Delimkhanov met with Vostok commander Aleksandr Khodakovskiy to discuss the latter’s remarks about the preparedness of the Chechen security services. Kadyrov, commenting on the meeting, claimed Khodakovskiy’s comments were based on first impressions and he had since had an opportunity to be convinced of their professionalism. A video shows Delimkhanov and Khodakovskiy, with the latter offering a positive assessment of Chechen forces. The meeting supposedly took place near Mariupol.

Near Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers from Chechnya. He did not specify numbers or place of deployment, but claimed that the group included his relatives. A video shows a group leaving the grounds of a PPSP regiment.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that thousands of people were participating in nightly collective prayers for Chechen fighters travelling to Ukraine. More than 2,000 participated in an event at the Gordost musulman mosque in Shali.

President Putin awarded Ramzan Kadyrov the title of police major-general. It was not explicitly tied to the war in Ukraine, but came in the context of Kadyrov’s support for it.

Ramzan Kadyrov addressed Chechen security service personnel, claiming that “we all dream of dying on the path of jihad” and implicitly characterising the war in Ukraine as such.

Chechnya’s Interior Ministry reported that five people from Rosgvardia and the military had been posthumously awarded the Order of Courage. No names were given. However, Chechnya Segodnya reported on the names of seven award recipients: senior lieutenant Rakhim Kaimov; sergeant Shakrudi Avtayev; lance corporal Beslan Batalov; lance corporal Nurdy Virskhanov; private Aslanbek Dudayev; private Khezir Chupalayev; and senior police sergeant Adam Bolchikhanov.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The two Chechens killed in early March remained the only two attributable to the republic.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of another volunteer detachment, including residents of other parts of Russia. Six people were interviewed in an accompanying video, of which one was from Chechnya. Numbers and units were not revealed, but the video showed approximately 200 people.

This might be the first official confirmation of non-Chechens transiting through the republic and the Russian University of Spetsnaz to Ukraine.

President Putin awarded Adam Delimkhanov the title Hero of Russia. It was specifically attributed to his “courage and heroism, displayed in the course of the special military operation on the territories of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Luhansk People’s Republic, and Ukraine.”

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that he had met with Adam Delimkhanov and other Chechen commanders returning from Ukraine. Kadyrov declared their willingness to return and continue fighting.

This is arguably the end of the first round of deployments, i.e., when prominent Chechen officials are prominent in the war.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. Nine residents of Chechnya were now recorded.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers. Numbers, units, and place of deployment were not given. A voiceover for the accompanying video claimed that 200 were being deployed each week and received RUB 300,000 on the day of departure plus $53 for each day from the MoD.

ChGTRK Groznyy broadcast an award ceremony for Rosgvardia personnel who had fought in Ukraine and for the relatives of those killed there. No names for the awardees were given.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya remained at nine.

Chechen human rights organisation Vayfond reported that it had received dozens of requests from Chechen residents, asking for help leaving Russia to avoid deployment to Ukraine. The organisation said these people reported that they were not security service personnel and some possessed disability certificates.

This is the first indication of forced deployment.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that 600 employees of the Chechen security services and volunteers from across Russia had deployed to Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that 3,000 Chechen fighters had deployed to Ukraine since the start of the war. He also reported that a further 200 volunteers had deployed, most of whom were ethnic Russians.

Ramzan Kadyrov declared that there was no need to declare mobilisation in Russia. He called on people to self-mobilise instead.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. Groznyy Inform reported that it comprised 200 people, with the same number being deployed each week.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that hundreds of Russian residents were arriving in Chechnya to train at the Russian University of Spetsnaz and deploy to Ukraine.

Apti Alaudinov identified Chechen natives fighting in and for Ukraine as his “number one target, and we will search [for them] wherever they are.” He reported that the Akhmat special detachment was fighting in Severodonetsk and the surrounding area and proposed that members of the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion fighting there make themselves known. Analysts noted that this could be interpreted either as an invitation to fight or to meet in order to persuade pro-Ukrainian Chechens to defect.

This could be the first reference to a variant of Spetsnaz Akhmat.

Severodonetsk and surrounding area, Luhansk Oblast

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya remained at nine.

Rosgvardia reported that Chechen native sergeant Adam Bisultanov had died in a clash on 26 May with a group of foreign mercenaries. No precise location was given. Bisultanov was posthumously nominated for the Order of Courage.

A military court in Chechnya sentenced Ali Musayev, an employee of the military commandant’s office, to 10 days’ arrest for refusing to travel “an area for completing special tasks” — although it is not clear whether this referred to Ukraine. Musayev admitted his guilt.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that a new contingent of volunteers had been deployed to Ukraine. No numbers or units were specified.

Parliamentary Speaker Magomed Daudov claimed that a total of 1,872 people had deployed from Chechnya to Ukraine. This included 1,794 from other regions and 1,360 volunteers from Chechnya itself. He claimed that the troops had been equipped using funding from the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation.

Adam Delimkhanov claimed that the special operation in Ukraine could be completed by the end of the year.

Parliamentary Speaker Magomed Daudov met with participants of the special military operation who had published a video appeal to Ramzan Kadyrov, complaining that they had been denied payments and medical assistance after their return. Two people had appeared in the video, but four complainants met with Daudov, who explained the errors behind their complaints.

A video published on YouTube showed an imam from a mosque in Gudermes recruiting people to the local police, which he said was suffering from staff shortages due to redeployments to Ukraine.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 10.

A video published on YouTube showed a local village head in Kurchaloyevskiy Rayon criticising people for complaining about unemployment when they could join one of the newly created Ministry of Defence units.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on an awards ceremony at which three policemen were awarded For Services to the Fatherland Second Degree, four For Courage medals, and three For Excellence in Protecting Public Order. Eight police employees were posthumously awarded both the Order of Courage and Order of Kadyrov. Sergey Bachurin, head of the MVD Main Directorate for the North Caucasus, stated that more than 1,000 Interior Ministry personnel from Chechnya had fought in Ukraine, of which 15 had died. The posthumous recipients were identified as police ensign Adam Bachayev; police captain Ramzan Kaimov; senior police lieutenant Magomed Titiyev; police ensign Khuseyn Kurmagomadov; police ensign Kapur Takalov; junior police sergeant Ibragim Akhmatkhanov; senior police sergeant Ali Tatishchev; and police captain Aslan Idrisov.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. No numbers were specified.

Ramzan Kadyrov announced the formation of four new Ministry of Defence Battalions: Sever-Akhmat, Yug-Akhmat, Vostok-Akhmat, and Zapad-Akhmat. He said they would be comprised exclusively of Chechens.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 18.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers. No numbers or units were specified.

Chechnya Segodnya reported on a 1,500-person rally in Groznyy in support of the special military operation. The rally was organised by the Chechen Public Chamber and held on the grounds of the Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov Memorial Complex of Glory.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that Chechen residents were quitting their jobs to volunteer for the war in Ukraine. He was responding to rumours that people were being forcibly conscripted.

Aleksey Goncharenko and Musa Magomedov submitted a proposal to Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada to recognise the independence of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI). Kadyrov called the proposal “absolutely ridiculous and absurd,” claiming that the ChRI hadn’t existed since 2007, when the Caucasus Emirate was created.

Ramzan Kadyrov told ChGTRK Groznyy that those who think about refusing to travel to Ukraine “will end up in hell.”

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 18.

Apti Alaudinov was appointed head of the Chechen Security Council, in recognition of his role in Ukraine as head of the Akhmat special detachment.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. No numbers or units were specified.

Chechen security services were filmed with “To Kyiv” on the backs of their uniforms, where unit designators would usually be. The uniforms had reportedly been in use since 18 July.

The Chechen Interior Ministry reported on the deaths of four policemen in Ukraine: senior police ensign Buvaysar Deniyev, police lieutenant-colonel Zaur Dimayev, senior police sergeant Aydamir Isayev, and police captain Muslim Avtayev. They were posthumously awarded the Order of Kadyrov.

Caucasian Knot interviewed the residents of those who had signed contracts with the security services to fight in Ukraine. One reported a relative being sent against his will; another was a former militant under administrative supervision following release from prison, who was persuaded it would clean his reputation.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that Chechen units were ready to assault any population centre on President Putin’s order.

Groznyy Inform reported that seven volunteers to fight in Ukraine had adopted Islam before their departure.

Ramzan Kadyrov received the Hero of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) award at a ceremony in Groznyy, while LNR head Leonid Pasechnik received the Order of Kadyrov and Apti Alaudinov received both the Hero of Russia and Hero of the LNR. Kadyrov’s award was “for heroism, courage and bravery shown in fulfilling [his] military duty in the course of conducting the special military operation.”

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. No numbers or units were specified.

State Duma Deputy for Chechnya Adam Delimkhanov submitted a complaint to the police, alleging that fraudsters were contacting fellow deputies and officials in his name and soliciting money to support the war in Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that 9,000 troops were ready for deployment from Chechnya to Ukraine, with a further 10,000 in reserve. These included residents from other parts of Russia.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. No numbers or units were specified.

Ramzan Kadyrov recorded a video address in which he promised “blood revenge […] for every brother killed” in Ukraine, but declined to declare it against President Zelenskiy — characterising him as a “hostage” of the West.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 22.

Ramzan Kadyrov said that the families of those who refuse to join new Chechen units should be deprived of benefits. He was responding to a report given by Parliamentary Speaker Magomed Daudov that, of 188 young men from 412 families who were capable of working and were offered the work, only three had agreed.

Ramzan Kadyrov called on President Putin to allow Chechen units to bring the military operation to an end. He spoke of “big possibilities” to do so on the part of Chechen units within the Defence Ministry, Rosgvardia, and the Interior Ministry.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) accused Ramzan Kadyrov of preparing and participating in the military operation in Ukraine, as well as justifying it and undertaking other activities that undermined Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It identified several criminal code articles under which Kadyrov was liable. The SBU also accused Daniil Martynov and Khuseyn Mezhidov of involvement in war crimes. Kadyrov responded by confirming his involvement in, and support for, the war.

Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on Telegram that military personnel should not be allowed to take leave until the special military operation was over.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. No numbers or units were specified.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers to Ukraine. He did not specify any numbers or units. However, Parliamentary Speaker Magomed Daudov stated that more than 5,000 volunteer fighters had been deployed since the start of the war.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 22.

Rosgvardia reported on the death of junior sergeant Khamzat Ilyasov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that the formation of the 78th Motorised Regiment had been completed and it was ready to deploy to Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin congratulated Chechnya on its 100th anniversary, highlighting Chechen units’ contribution to the war in Ukraine.

Rosgvardia reported that police major Turko Abdulkhalikov had been killed fighting in Ukraine. A picture of his gravestone gave the date of death as 30 May.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of the Sever Regiment and Yug Battalion, noting that many of its fighters had already deployed there. He also reported that OMON Akhmat-Groznyy and the Oil Regiment had deployed.

Rosgvardia reported that private Zelimkhan Dzhamaluyev had been killed fighting in Ukraine. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 25.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that “mistakes” had been made on the Kharkiv front and called for a change in strategy; if not, he said he would need to explain the situation to the leadership of the military and country.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitriy Peskov responded to criticisms by Ramzan Kadyrov about the military operation, saying President Putin had no scheduled plans to meet with him.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that State Duma Deputy for Chechnya Adam Delimkhanov had redeployed to Ukraine to take charge of Chechen troops there. A video showed Delimkhanov claiming to be in Kherson Oblast, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk People’s Republic.

Delimkhanov again assumed a military command role, despite the lack of any organisational authority to do so.

Kherson Oblast; Zaporizhzhia; Donetsk People’s Republic.

Ramzan Kadyrov called on regional leaders to organise self-mobilisation on their territories.

Rustam Aguyev, head of Kurchaloyevskiy ROVD, instructed his subordinates to send people who fire weapons at wedding to Ukraine. The video was published by Chechen opposition group Niyso.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that Zapad-Akhmat and Vostok-Akhmat had deployed to Ukraine. A video showed fighters pledging to wage “gazavat.”

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed Chechnya was able to mobilise fighters for Ukraine because of a lack of bureaucracy and delays. He also announced the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers, without specifying numbers or units.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers. No units or numbers were given.

The Chechen authorities announced that there were 414 vacancies in the Interior Ministry and 2000 Rosgvardia jobs available. The vacancies occurred in the context of recruitment for the war in Ukraine and the creation of new security service units.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitriy Peskov said that Ramzan Kadyrov’s idea of regional self-mobilisation should be assessed by the Defence Ministry and military professionals.

Ramzan Kadyrov expressed support for partial mobilisation and criticised the women who had protested in Groznyy. He claimed that only 15-20 people took part; accused them of receiving money from European organisations; and threatened that their husbands should be sent to Ukraine. He labelled opponents of mobilisation “enemies of the people.”

Local residents reported that an audio message issued in the name of Chechen mothers was being disseminated on Whatsapp. The message called on women to attend a rally in Groznyy to protest their sons being sent there.

Chechen Minister of Press and Information Akhmed Dudayev reported on his meeting with Koka Aziyeva, whom he identified as the author of the Whatsapp message calling people to protest in Groznyy. Aliyeva confessed that none of her relatives had been forcibly deployed and that she had not personally witnessed any funerals. Dudayev claimed Aziyeva was a victim of false information.

Eyewitnesses reported that 30-40 women had attended the protests against mobilisation in Groznyy, but others had been detained en route and the protest was heavily policed.

Ramzan Kadyrov labelled people who avoid mobilisation “cowards, traitors, and second-class citizens.”

Chechen state media claimed that 50,000 people had attended a referendum in support of referenda for Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts to join Russia.

Ramzan Kadyrov announced that Chechnya had already over-fulfilled its plan for sending troops to Ukraine and therefore additional mobilisation was unnecessary.

Kadyrov effectively but not explicitly cancelled partial mobilisation in the republic.

Ramzan Kadyrov called for the mobilisation of half of the employees of the Emergencies Ministry, the prosecutor’s office, the investigative committee, the customs service, and other security services across the country.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 25.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of fighters from Yug-Akhmat and volunteers. The day before, another contingent of Yug-Akhmat had already deployed. Musa Iblayev was specifically referenced as accompanying his unit.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that a new contingent of volunteers had deployed after being trained at the Russian University of Spetsnaz. He did not specify units or numbers.

Ramzan Kadyrov criticised the Ministry of Defence for withdrawing troops from Krasnyy Liman and called for the use of low-yield nuclear weapons and the imposition of martial law in border areas.

Astrakhan Oblast Governor Igor Babushkin reported that a group of mobilised reservists had been sent to Chechnya for training prior to deployment to Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of fighters from Rosgvardia’s 96th Operational Regiment. He said the contingent was comprised exclusively of experienced fighters who had participated in special operations, including previous deployments to the Donbas. He did not specify the size of the contingent.

Ramzan Kadyrov stated that three of his sons — Akhmat, Adam, and Eli — were preparing to deploy to Ukraine to participate in combat operations.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitriy Peskov responded to Ramzan Kadyrov’s criticism of the Ministry of Defence, saying he had a right to express an opinion but said emotions should be left out of any assessment.

Kheda Khazuyeva, a Chechen nurse, was publicly reprimanded for disseminating an audio message in which she warned of plans to mobilise doctors and nurses. Khazuyeva admitted her mistake and offered to deploy voluntarily to Ukraine.

The Groznyy Mayor’s Office reported that police captain Vadim Tsamayev had been killed in Ukraine. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage and a kindergarten was renamed in his honour.

Adam Muradov, the husband of one of the women who protested against mobilisation in Groznyy, died of a heart attack after being forced to beat his wife; his sone was deployed to Ukraine.

Human rights activists Oleg Orlov and Oyub Titiyev reported that the security services had forced people to beat up their relatives who had participated in anti-mobilisation protests and then forcibly mobilised family members. Orlov noted that none of the women had directly appealed to Memorial; information instead came from neighbours and relatives.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of troops to Ukraine, including fighters from Spetsnaz Akhmat and volunteers from other regions of Russia. No numbers were given for the size of the contingent.

Ramzan Kadyrov declared that Chechen Rosgvardia fighters were ready to defend the Crimean bridge following an attack on it.

Ramzan Kadyrov expressed support for the appointment of General Sergey Surovikin as commander of the Combined Group of Forces in the Area of the Conduct of the Special Military Operation in the Donbas.

Ramzan Kadyrov declared that he was “100% satisfied with the conduct of the SVO.” His comments followed a series of major missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ramzan Kadyrov declared that more than 500 medical volunteers were ready to deploy from the republic to Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that a new contingent of 200 people had deployed to Ukraine. No units were specified.

The Chechen Interior Ministry reported on the deaths of police captain Ramzan Taymaskhanov, police senior lieutenant Zhelil Ersembiyev, and police ensign Khuseyn Sadikov. All three were members of the Akhmat Kadyrov Special Purpose Police Regiment and received the Order of Courage posthumously.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 29.

Donetsk People’s Republic Head Denis Pushilin announced on Telegram that he had given Ayshat Kadyrova, the daughter of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, the Order of Friendship for cooperation and in gratitude for supporting the Donbas. He included photos of himself with Ayshat as well as will Kadyrov’s sons, Akhmat, Adam, and Eli, and Chechen Press and Information Minister Akhmed Dudayev. He did not specify when and where the photograph was taken.

Rustam Azhiyev deployed to Ukraine, having relocated from Syria, and became deputy commander of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada adopted a law declaring the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria temporarily occupied territory.

ChGTRK broadcast footage of Akhmat, Adam, and Eli Kadyrov purportedly in Mariupol. Kadyrov also used his Telegram channel to report on their presence, alongside that of his daughter, Ayshat Kadyrova, as head of a working delegation from Chechnya.

Mariupol

Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video to his Telegram channel showing Chechen security services displaying trophies captured in Ukraine to his sons, Akhmat, Adam, and Eli. Kadyrov also reported that the three had consulted with fighters from Zapad-Akhmat and Ismail and Rustam Aguyev, while his daughter, Ayshat Kadyrova, was also shown. Kadyrov also claimed that his three sons had provided covering fire to attacking Chechen forces,

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that his three sons, Akhmat, Adam, and Eli, as well as his daughter Ayshat had all returned from Ukraine. They were accompanied by three Ukrainian prisoners, whom Kadyrov said were transported following a decision by his sons.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers. He did not specify units or numbers.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers. In an accompanying video, several people identify themselves as residents of other towns and regions: Stavropol Kray, Sochi, Astrakhan, Mordovia, Belgorod Oblast, and Vladimir.

Chechen Press and Information Minister Akhmed Dudayev admitted that recently published footage of Ramzan Kadyrov’s children in Ukraine was a montage but characterised this as normal editorial work.

Ramzan Kadyrov used a Telegram post to call for Ukrainian cities to be “wiped from the face of the earth.”

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that Chechen residents were not queueing at recruitment posts in readiness to deploy to Ukraine. He said the war should be viewed as a “jihad” of “Muslims and Christians” against “Satanism.”

Ramzan Kadyrov called for changes in tactics and personnel in the Russian army. He specifically criticised Colonel-General Aleksandr Lapin, commander of the troops of the Central Military District responsible for the Liman front. He explicitly agreed with criticism voiced by Wagner owner Yevgeniy Prigozhin. Chechen state TV reported two days later that Lapin had been removed from his post.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that 23 Chechen fighters had been killed and 58 wounded over the last week in Ukraine.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 29.

Bislan Chabayev, a deputy commander of OMON Akhmat-1, called on unemployed people to join his unit and to travel to Ukraine to defend Chechnya.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers. Some announced that they were from Moscow, Mineralnyye Vody and Astrakhan Oblast. Parliamentary Speaker Magomed Daudov suggested that they were joining Spetsnaz Akhmat.

Askhab Nakayev, a deputy commander of OMON Akhmat-1, called on Chechen youth to stop wasting their time and instead to join the security services.

Ramzan Kadyrov state that Chechen residents would soon receive summons to serve and therefore should promptly enlist with the security services to ensure that they could serve in Chechen units.

Ramzan Kadyrov signed an order dismissing Apti Alaudinov as head of the Chechen Security Council — purportedly at Alaudinov’s request. He urged people not to trouble their heads over the move, claiming that “people who serve in the team of Akhmad-Khadzhi Kadyrov have no positions, no ranks, no orders, no medals.” The following day, Kadyrov announced that Alaudinov had received the rank of major-general and would serve as deputy commander for military operations in the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic People’s Militia, while remaining an aide to Kadyrov. Kadyrov also declared that Alaudinov would begin a second, three-month deployment to the LNR.

Ramzan Kadyrov called for stricter punishment for those who evade military service.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy ordered the Foreign Ministry to review the possibility of recognising the independence of Ichkeria, after a petition achieved 25,000 signatories — which meant that presidential consideration was required.

ChGTRK Groznyy reported on the death in Ukraine of Dukvakha Saitov. An image of his grave revealed that he died on 29 May

Ramzan Kadyrov announced that 107 Russian prisoners had been exchanged with Ukraine and that new lists for possible exchanges had already been prepared.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 53.

Ramzan Kadyrov and Wagner owner Yevgeniy Prigozhin expressed support for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the right to the left bank of the Dnepr river in Kherson Oblast. Kadyrov explicitly supported Prigozhin’s assessment of the move as necessary to avoid encirclement and save thousands of lives.

Ramzan Kadyrov and Apti Alaudinov denied reports that Chechen security service personnel had died near Lishichansk. Kadyrov did, however, appear to acknowledge that they were operating there.

Lisichansk, Luhansk Oblast.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers trained at the Russian University of Spetsnaz. Recruits included people from Volgograd Oblast, Stavropol Kray, Amur Oblast, and Buryatia.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that his daughter, Ayshat Kadyrov, had organised prayers across the republic involving children, in support of those fighting in Ukraine.

The Chechen muftiate reported that the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation would provide financial support to the relatives of those killed fighting in Ukraine to enable them to complete the minor hajj.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that negotiations with Ukraine could begin if Ukraine met two conditions: accept the Luhansk People’s Republic, Donetsk People’s Republic, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Crimea, and Sevastopol as Russian; and hand over “all fascist criminals and shaytans responsible for atrocities over the Russian-speaking population, or an official trial of them.”

Parliamentary Speaker Magomed Daudov claimed that 20,000 Chechen fighters had participated in the war, with 9,029 currently located there.

The Security Service of Ukraine placed Ramzan Kadyrov on the wanted list for involvement in “aggressive military activities.” Investigative Committee head Aleksandr Bastrykin ordered a criminal case opened against the Ukrainian law enforcement personnel who had taken the decision.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers trained at the Russian University of Spetsnaz. Volunteers identified themselves as coming from Chechnya, Moscow, Perm Kray, Astrakhan Oblast, Irkutsk, and Voronezh.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported that more than 2,000 people had joined the newly created OMON Akhmat-1 and were ready to deploy to Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the mothers of participants in the war in Ukraine, including the mother of Rustam and Ismail Aguyev. He then held a working meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov at which they discussed the Chechen contribution to the war in Ukraine.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 53.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers trained at the Russian University of Spetsnaz. One person came from Surgut, another from Orel.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers trained at the Russian University of Spetsnaz. One person interviewed in an accompanying video said he came from Krasnodar Kray and had already fought in Ukraine. Another said he came from Novosibirsk Oblast, while a third said he had also previously fought in Ukraine but did not specify his home region.

Caucasian Knot, drawing on official statistics, summarised losses among residents of the North Caucasus and Southern Federal District. The number for Chechnya was 53.

Ramzan Kadyrov credited State Duma Deputy for Chechnya Shamsail Saraliyev with securing the return of 50 Russian prisoners of war. Saraliyev had allegedly played a key role in negotiations.

Rosgvardia reported on the death in Ukraine of police senior sergeant Tamerlan Yusupov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

The Groznyy Garrison Military Court ruled against Magomed Elemkhanov, a contract soldier from Chechnya who had contested his dismissal from the military. Elemkhanov had refused to travel to Ukraine, leading to his dismissal on grounds of non-fulfilment of his contract.

Ramzan Kadyrov reported on the deployment to Ukraine of a new contingent of volunteers trained at the Russian University of Spetsnaz. The contingent included volunteers from Dagestan, Buryatia, Orenburg, Pskov, and Belgorod Oblast.

Meduza reported that the Batalkhadzhintsy Brotherhood had agreed to form several units to participate in the war in Ukraine, as a response to support from Kadyrov for the group’s conflict with the Ingushetian authorities. The group were reportedly training at the Russian University of Spetsnaz and would be part of the Batalkhadzhintsy Rapid Response Unit (BOBR Akhmat)

Ramzan Kadyrov confirmed that BOBR Akhmat would be part of Spetsnaz Akhmat and claimed that it had already deployed to Ukraine.

ChGTRK Groznyy reported that Yusup Baygazhiyev, Roman Bersanukayev, and Ibragim Aliyev had been killed in Ukraine. Baygazhiyev served in Rosgvardia’s Extra-Departmental Security branch and died 29 March. Aliyev served in the Sever Battalion and died 1 October.

Groznyy Inform reported on the deployment of a new contingent of volunteers.

Chechen Press and Information Minister Akhmed Dudayev posted a video featuring female members of the security services, which claimed that Chechen women were ready to support the men in defending the motherland.

ChGTRK Groznyy reported on the death of police senior sergeant Arbi Abdurashidov, an employee of Police Battalion No 1 of Rosgvardia’s Extra-Departmental Security branch. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that all Chechen participants in the war in Ukraine, including security service personnel, were involved voluntarily. He labelled people who spread rumours about a new wave of mobilisation as provocateurs and insisted that there were many more volunteers ready to deploy.

The head of Chechnya’s Naurskiy Rayon reported that Salam Magomedov and Arbi Khumaydov had died in Ukraine. Both were posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.