In the heart of Grozny, a striking mural rose on the facade of a five-story building. The artwork portrays Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, alongside eight Chechen fighters who took part in a recent special operation in Ukraine. The piece has drawn attention as a bold visual statement that blends political symbolism with street art energy. This work appears under the banner of DEA News, signaling its media framing and reach within regional discourse.
The creators behind the mural hail from Russia, with the central figure credited to Alexander Kupalyan and supported by peers from Nizhny Novgorod. It is anticipated that similar large-scale pieces will emerge in other Russian regions, extending the same visual language across different cities and communities. The project stakes out a clear narrative thread—honoring specific figures while inviting public conversation about contemporary events.
Kupalyan described Grozny as a welcoming canvas where the team could explore more complex compositions. He noted that the Grozny mural is distinct from previous works because it centers on a broader set of figures rather than a single subject, yet retains a unified concept. The collaborators found the process exhilarating and meaningful, especially given the city’s reception of their work and the opportunity to present intricate, detailed imagery that rewards close viewing. The visual approach aims to create a sense of grandeur, with careful attention to form, texture, and contrast that makes the scene feel both monumental and intimate at the same time.
From the artist’s perspective, the project reflects a response to ongoing military engagement involving Chechen security forces. Kupalyan expressed that participating in this narrative evokes feelings of strength and a sense of justice, which shapes the tone and direction of their mural. The artwork thus engages with real-world events while inviting viewers to reflect on the broader human dimensions of conflict, loyalty, and community memory. The mural’s message is carried not just in the likenesses depicted, but in the space it occupies and the conversations it sparks among observers in Grozny and beyond. [Citation: DEA News]