Chechnya’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, urged Vladimir Putin to allow the Ukrainian campaign to be completed promptly and not to prolong the operation. In a voice message shared on Telegram, Kadyrov asked the Commander-in-Chief to provide an opportunity to end the special operation and to postpone it as needed. He also noted that if a portion of the world community disagrees, that does not equate to global opposition, and that those 15 percent can be calmed quickly. Kadyrov stressed that his people have lived through hard times before and are capable of steering events, hinting at a possible surprise. He remarked that he would have taken Kiev long ago if the orders had been given, but such orders were not issued. (Source: SBU)
Kadyrov referenced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others, saying they might have faced a different outcome if the Chechen leadership had been empowered, and claimed Chechen forces possess substantial capabilities to influence European decisions and alter public sentiment toward the state. He added that preparations are advancing intensely and that once an order comes, the momentum will be hard to stop. (Source: SBU)
What does the SBU accuse Kadyrov of?
On August 26, Ukraine’s Security Service issued accusations against Kadyrov under several provisions of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, including waging aggressive war and taking deliberate actions to alter Ukraine’s borders. Similar charges were brought against Daniil Martynov, a deputy head of the National Guard of Chechnya who currently serves as an adviser to the head of the Ministry of Emergencies, and Hussein Mezhidov, commander of the Chechen battalion “South.” The intelligence service stated that sufficient evidence existed to claim war crimes were committed. (Source: SBU)
The SBU stated that evidence showed Kadyrov personally led the planning and execution of specific operations by these units, issued commands, and received reports from their leaders. In response, Kadyrov challenged the SBU to specify where he should appear for trial, arguing that he would be ready to respond and asking to identify the individual he calls a criminal, a terrorist, and lacking honor or patriotism. He also indicated his intent to continue participating in Ukraine-related conflicts. (Source: SBU)
Additionally, Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, ordered criminal proceedings against the SBU for what was described as illegal prosecution of Kadyrov and other officials. The committee maintained that the SBU’s decisions were unwarranted and unlawful. (Source: Investigative Committee)
The role of the Chechen army in the special operation
Chechen military personnel, alongside volunteers, have been involved in the Ukraine conflict. By August, Kadyrov reported that about 9,000 fighters from Chechnya were ready to be sent to Ukraine, with another 10,000 in reserve. He asserted that Chechen units had participated in battles across key locations including Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Lisichansk, and Popasnaya. (Source: SBU)
Kadyrov has repeatedly criticized the pace of the campaign, characterizing the current tactics as too slow and urging that the operation cover all Ukrainian territory. He suggested the leadership should consider decisive action to resolve the situation quickly, even proposing that the state should “close all eyes” and finish the task in a day or two. Earlier, in March, he criticized ongoing peace talks with Ukraine, saying they lacked meaning and should be terminated to focus on ending the conflict. (Source: SBU)
In early August, Leonid Pasechnik, head of the LPR, awarded Kadyrov the title of Hero of the Republic and thanked Chechen forces for their assistance in the confrontation, noting that residents of the LPR recognize Akhmat units as fighters. (Source: LPR authorities)