Research & analysis

In 2024, the North Caucasus remained a focal point of terrorism-related activity in Russia, with at least 93 incidents reported across the region. This inaugural annual report provides an in-depth analysis of developments, offering critical insights into the dynamics of regional instability and security challenges in 2025.

An exploration of the evolving role played by the Chechen security services in Ukraine, published on Riddle

Russian private military companies are widely discussed, but in reality they are not corporate entities, exclusively military, or private.

The Caucasus Emirate collapsed in 2015, having posed the main domestic security threat to the Russian state for eight years. Strategically, it was a failure, but its cultural legacy was much more ambiguous.

This backgrounder outlines the evolution of insurgency in the North Caucasus, from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the present day.

An explainer on how the Central African country became the latest to embrace Russian military cooperation as part of a broader effort to develop bilateral ties.

This explainer outlines the background, structure, goals, and evolution of the Caucasus Emirate (Imarat Kavkaz, IK), the main insurgent group in the North Caucasus between 2007 and 2015.

This explainer outlines how the Islamic State (IS) penetrated the North Caucasus and managed to briefly eclipse the Caucasus Emirate before collapsing in late 2017.

My recommendations for the best books and articles if you want to learn more about the North Caucasus insurgency.

This review article rounds up all the key information on the 23 June 2024 terrorist attacks in Dagestan, which targeted synagogues, churches, and the police in Derbent and Makhachkala.

This review article rounds up all the key information on the 22 March 2024 terrorist attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall and its aftermath.

This profile explains the origins and initial operations of African Corps, a unit set up by the Russian Defence Ministry to replace the private military company (PMC) the Wagner Group.

This profile provides key details about the Sever-Akhmat (78th Motorised) regiment, one of several “Chechen” units created within Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Created in summer 2022, it has mostly been active in Ukraine.

This profile provides key details about the Vostok-Akhmat Battalion, one of several “Chechen” units created within Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Created in summer 2022, it has participated in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This profile provides key details about the Yug-Akhmat Battalion, one of several “Chechen” units created within Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Created in summer 2022, it has participated in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This profile provides key details about the Zapad-Akhmat Battalion, one of several “Chechen” units created within Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Created in summer 2022, it has been active in Ukraine and Belgorod Oblast.

The influence of Chechen Deputy PM Abuzayd Vismuradov makes him an outside candidate to replace Chechnya’s leader.

State Duma Deputy for Chechnya Adam Delimkhanov will likely play a pivotal role in deciding who succeeds Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov.

Adam Kadyrov is the inexperienced son of Chechnya’s current dictator who is being positioned as a potential successor.

Aleksandr Kuznetsov (Ratibor) is a senior commander with Russian PMC Wagner whose activities reflects the group’s global footprint.

Andrey Troshev (Sedoy) is a senior figure within Russian PMC Wagner. He is now responsible for “volunteer units” in Ukraine, but may struggle to command the loyalty of rank-and-file Wagner fighters.

Anton Yelizarov is a senior figure in Russian PMC Wagner. He opposes the Russian Defence Minsitry but appears to lack allies in the elite.

Apti Alaudinov is the commander of Spetsnaz Akhmat and a leading member of the Chechen security services involved in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Chechen parliamentary speaker Magomed Daudov (Lord) is a key figure in the regime of Ramzan Kadyrov but lacks an independent power base.

Mikhail Vatanin is a former head of security for Russian PMC Wagner. He reportedly exercises considerable influence, but verifiable information is limited.

Nine simple questions that can help you evaluate whether open-source intelligence (OSINT) courses meet your needs.