Initiative with Chechen battalions raises Kadyrov's status in military system

The new battalions, the formation of which was announced by the head of Chechnya, will become part of the "Rosgvardiya" (Russian National Guard), experts assert. In their opinion, it was Kadyrov's initiative; and it strengthens the position of his followers in the country's military-defence hierarchy amid the special operation in Ukraine.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ramzan Kadyrov had announced the formation of four military battalions – "North-Akhmat", "South-Akhmat", "West-Akhmat" and "East-Akhmat" – "with an impressive number of personnel." According to his story, the battalions are formed because of the "extremely patriotic moods of the regional youth," who want to stand up for the Motherland.

The battalions formed in Chechnya will make part of the "Rosgvardiya", Alexander Artamonov, the editor of the "Zvezda" (Star) weekly, is sure.

"They will be elite units of 'Rosgvardiya'. As experience has shown, it is the Chechen battalions that take on the most difficult mission of the final cleansing of territories," Mr Artamonov has added.

He has no doubt that the formation of the battalions is an initiative of the head of Chechnya, which was supported at the top; he has also added that the new battalions improve Kadyrov's rating.

Alexander Khramchikhin, a military expert, is sure that the very appearance of such battalions speaks of the strengthening of Kadyrov's position.

Kadyrov is regularly reporting about sending volunteers from Chechnya to Ukraine. On June 25, he announced the sending of another group of volunteers there.