Soldiers of the “Akhmat” battalion. Photo: Kommersant
After the failure of the operation in the Kursk region, the Chechen troops of the Akhmat special forces, under the command of Ramzan Kadyrov, became a target for pro-war Russian bloggers. While Kadyrov and his general, Apti Alaudinov, claim that their forces have inflicted significant losses on the Ukrainian army, these claims have not convinced the Russian military community.
Bloggers who support the war accuse the Chechens of desertion, disobedience and even cooperation with Ukrainian forces, which contributed to the advance of the Ukrainian army deep into Russian territory. In particular, according to a Telegram channel linked to Russian special services, Akhmat units allegedly left their positions during the first strikes by Ukrainian troops, which allowed the enemy to easily advance in the border areas.
Criticism of the Chechen units continues to grow, and some commentators even indulge in Islamophobic outbursts, questioning the readiness of Kadyrov’s forces for actual combat operations. Blogger Yurii Kotenok sarcastically noted that Kadyrov’s “TikTok battalions” were not among the prisoners, as they stayed away from the battlefield.
Despite the harsh accusations, Kadyrov himself rejects any suspicion of treason or desertion. He claims that his troops successfully destroyed a Ukrainian military convoy and seized NATO equipment. However, these statements do not coincide with the information of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which reported the capture of several members of the “Akhmat” forces.
Experts note that public criticism of the Chechen units is significant, but it is unlikely that it will cause serious damage to Ramzan Kadyrov’s reputation in the Kremlin. The Chechen leader has always found a way to turn the situation to his advantage, and this time he will probably be able to avoid serious consequences again.
However, according to North Caucasus analyst Harold Chambers, it may be more difficult for other commanders, such as Apti Alaudinov, to avoid responsibility for the failure of the operation in the Kursk region.
