Due to new rules for foreigners in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Chechens may face issues with their documents
Chechen servicemen fighting on Ukraine’s side may face problems with their documents and the renewal of their military contracts.
These difficulties stem from new regulations regarding the legal status of foreigners serving in the Ukrainian military.
“Currently, particular difficulties are arising due to the law passed by the Verkhovna Rada regarding foreigners. At the start of the war, in 2022, Chechens mostly arrived in Ukraine not with Russian passports but with Chechen and Ichkerian passports, and signed contracts using those specific documents,” explained Ahmed Zakayev.
Ukrainian Law No. 4730-IX, which the Verkhovna Rada adopted on December 17, 2025, entered into force on May 10, 2026. It regulated the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons serving under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service. Foreign military personnel are eligible to obtain a temporary residence permit.
For service members already on active duty, a transition period is provided for obtaining the necessary documents by November 10, 2026.
Ahmed Zakayev noted that documentation issues arise not only for Chechen military personnel but also for those from the Caucasus and other regions who do not have passports or cannot use documents issued by their countries of origin.
“The new law, which took effect in May 2026 and will go into effect in November, prohibits the renewal of contracts based on such documents. Not everyone had passports on hand to begin with—this applies not only to Chechens but also to others from the Caucasus and other regions,” he said.
At the same time, new legalization rules have effectively been in effect since May, while November marks the deadline of the transition period for those foreigners who are already serving in the military. The law stipulates that a temporary residence permit is issued for the duration of the contract and for an additional six months after its termination or cancellation.
Zakayev reported that his team is already working with members of parliament to resolve the issue.
“So there are difficulties right now, and we have already begun working with members of the Verkhovna Rada, who must either amend this law or have the president issue a decision to postpone its entry into force—until we have resolved the issues related to our passports and other identity documents,” added Ahmed Zakayev.
Despite the problems with documents, Zakayev stated that he does not see any systemic restrictions on Chechens serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to their origin or citizenship.
“In general, I cannot say that Chechens are in any way restricted or disadvantaged within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Our Ministry of Defense is permanently based in Ukraine; we are effectively rebuilding the Chechen army here, and regardless of how the Ukrainian state recognizes our fighters, we confer ranks and award state honors on our own. “There is no problem on that front,” he said.
According to Ahmed Zakayev, Chechen military service in Ukraine is viewed as part of the preparation for the future struggle for Chechnya’s independence.
“Sooner or later, the people who are currently in the Foreign Legion or fighting on Ukraine’s side as part of volunteer units must join the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and begin the process of de-occupation of our country,” he said.
At the same time, Zakayev emphasized that for Chechens serving in Ukraine, the issue of obtaining Ukrainian documents remains one of the key challenges.
Ahmed Zakayev asserts that virtually all Chechens fighting for Ukraine are interested in obtaining Ukrainian citizenship or permanent residency documents.
“Virtually all of them. This is very important to them because, for fundamental ideological reasons and due to Ukrainian institutions blocking Russian documents, they cannot use Russian passports, and Ukraine has not yet officially recognized Chechen passports, which causes people significant difficulties with identification,” he explained.
According to Zakayev, Ukrainian citizenship, a passport, or a permanent residence permit is one of the main documents needed by Chechen servicemen.
“Ukrainian citizenship, a passport, or a permanent residence permit is the first thing Chechens currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine need. And it is precisely the law on migration procedures for foreign military personnel, which I mentioned, that must be either amended or postponed—until Chechen passports are officially recognized by the Ukrainian state,” noted the leader of the Chechen government-in-exile.
At the same time, the 2026 government amendments provide for a separate procedure for documenting foreigners and stateless persons who have signed military contracts. In particular, a temporary residence permit may be issued for the duration of the military contract and for six months following its expiration.
Zakayev also said that the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile continues to issue Chechen passports to people residing in Europe and Ukraine.
“Yes, we issue Chechen passports to those who are currently in Europe and seeking political asylum in European countries, as well as in Ukraine. Our Passport Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs operates at three locations: two in Europe and one in Ukraine, where Chechen passports are issued,” he said.
According to Zakayev, these documents are not internationally recognized but are used by members of the Chechen community to verify their identity.
Separately, Akhmed Zakayev reported that the Chechen government-in-exile’s office in Kyiv continues to operate despite security risks.
“The office deals with military issues, humanitarian issues, and, of course, information issues,” he said.
According to Zakayev, the office also receives inquiries from Russia and the Caucasus related to the war in Ukraine.
He also stated that the Security Service of Ukraine has stepped up security measures around him following reports of a potential threat.
“Therefore, the Security Service of Ukraine, which is responsible for my security, is monitoring this situation very closely and limiting my presence in the office itself to a minimum while this threat persists. But regardless of this, the office is functioning, and most importantly, staff members are working there every day,” he noted.
Ahmed Zakayev also emphasized that, despite possible threats, he does not plan to stop traveling to Ukraine.
“Putin and Russia’s main goal is to neutralize me: to silence me, physically eliminate me, or politically neutralize me. My silence or the restriction of my work would, in fact, be an achievement of Putin’s and the Russian intelligence services’ goals,” Zakayev stated.
This was stated by the leader of the Chechen government-in-exile, Akhmed Zakayev, in an interview.
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