Kadyrov uses Mitsaeva to demonstrate his mercy

The sumptuous welcoming provided to Rubati Mitsaeva by Chechen authorities is no evidence of the woman's importance; Ramzan Kadyrov only uses her to demonstrate his mercy to former opponents, Alexei Malashenko has pointed out. Mitsaeva cannot be perceived as an independent figure, but Kadyrov earned points on her, Ruslan Kutaev believes.

On December 14, Rubati Mitsaeva arrived in Grozny; at the airport she was met by Akhmed Dudaev, the Minister for National Policy of Chechnya, Musa Dadaev, the Minister of Sports, and Magomed Khambiev, a Chechen MP. Although the political influence of Mitsaeva, an Akhmed Zakaev's former comrade-in-arms, is small, Chechen authorities presented her return to her homeland as their achievement, the sources of the "Caucasian Knot" have explained. Kadyrov welcomed Mitsaeva and even danced with her.

In the story of Mitsaeva's return, the only important thing for Kadyrov is that she had been his opponent, Alexei Malashenko, the author of the book "Ramzan Kadyrov: Russian Politician of Caucasian Nationality", has suggested.

"She had criticized Kadyrov, and then realized her mistake. And now Kadyrov forgives her and allows to return home," Mr Malashenko has stated.

In his opinion, the main point in Mitsaeva's return is that she had been a supporter of Kadyrov's worst enemy, and now she has passed over to his side.

Ruslan Kutaev, the President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, believes that one should not look for any political context in Mitsaeva's return. "Her arrival has to do with her personal reasons. She said that she wants to spend the next years of her life at home, with her grandchildren," Mr Kutaev has noted, adding that Kadyrov does not perceive Mitsaeva as a woman-warrior or a significant figure.