Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been a vocal supporter of Russia’s war on Ukraine from the outset, but the role played by his security services — commonly known as the kadyrovtsy — has evolved significantly. Initially, their deployments to Ukraine were improvised and ad hoc, but they have since become more structured, with the creation of new units and an increasing reliance on «volunteers.» While the kadyrovtsy have helped support Russia’s war of attrition, the Chechen regime has arguably played an even greater role in shaping the narratives of the conflict and boosting mobilisation efforts. These strategies have allowed Kadyrov to demonstrate his loyalty to Russian President Vladimir Putin while minimising risks to his regime’s security. As a result, Kadyrov may emerge from the war with a stronger security infrastructure, though recruitment issues will likely persist.
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