Kadyrov Refused to Send Chechens en Masse to Die in Ukraine – The Economist
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, despite public statements about training more than 70,000 fighters and his loyalty to the Kremlin, is in fact avoiding the mass mobilization of the republic’s residents into the war. A source within the Chechen leadership reported that the region does not intend to sacrifice its population for the sake of Russia’s interests.
The low level of actual casualties among Chechens (only 0.2% of confirmed Russian fatalities, according to Mediazona) is explained by the fact that the “Akhmat” unit is primarily staffed by volunteers from other Russian regions, while local fighters are ordered to protect themselves.
The Chechens’ reserved attitude toward the war is also rooted in the historical memory of the destructive military operations and “mop-up” campaigns carried out by the Russian Federation in the 1990s. In this way, Kadyrov maintains his image as a defender of his people within the republic while minimizing forced conscription to the front lines.
This is reported by The Economist.
In Russia, business leaders, accountants, and HR managers have begun preparing to carry out duties related to the mobilization of employees.
Russia’s Federal Tax Service has begun a mass mailing of notices to citizens of working age who have no official income but make large purchases. Tax officials are trying to identify possible hidden sources of income amid a growing budget deficit.
In Russia, prospective students were promised admission to a film institute in exchange for a contract with the Ministry of Defense.
