Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a surprise move, visited Chechnya on Tuesday, inspecting troops and volunteers preparing for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This marked Putin’s first trip to the North Caucasus republic in 13 years, signifying its crucial role in the ongoing war effort. The visit, which was not announced beforehand, occurred as Russia intensifies its efforts to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. This region became a focal point for Ukraine’s counteroffensive just two weeks ago, marking the largest incursion into Russian territory since World War II.
At the Russian Special Forces University in Chechnya’s Gudermes, Putin addressed the troops, emphasizing their unwavering commitment. “As long as we have men like you, we are absolutely, absolutely invincible,” he declared, according to a transcript published on the Kremlin’s website. He went on to commend their courage and dedication, stating, “It is one thing to shoot at a shooting range here, and another thing to put your life and health at risk. But you have an inner need to defend the Fatherland and the courage to make such a decision.” The foreign occupation of Russian land has been a source of embarrassment for Putin and his military, despite the ongoing, gradual advances of Russian forces on the eastern Ukrainian front.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, known for his close ties to Putin, met with the Russian president during the visit. He informed Putin that Chechnya had sent over 47,000 troops to fight in Ukraine since the war began, including approximately 19,000 volunteers. Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by the United States for alleged human rights abuses and his role in mobilizing Chechen troops, has repeatedly described himself as Putin’s “foot soldier.” When asked by a journalist about the justification for Putin’s trust in figures like Kadyrov, Putin replied, “If I had more of these foot soldiers, I would be very happy, but even one such foot soldier is worth a lot,” as reported by the RIA agency.
Before his visit to Chechnya, Putin made a rare trip to the town of Beslan in North Ossetia, marking his first visit there in at least 16 years. Beslan is notorious for the horrific 2004 school siege by Islamic militants, which resulted in the deaths of over 330 people, including 136 children. The tragedy remains the deadliest incident of its kind in modern Russian history. At a meeting in Beslan with the mothers of children killed in the attack, Putin acknowledged the “unhealed wound” the tragedy has left on the country’s historical memory. However, he also emphasized Russia’s ongoing struggle against those seeking to destabilize the nation. “And just as we fought terrorists, today we have to fight those who commit crimes in the Kursk region, in Donbas,” Putin declared, referring to Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russian territory and the broader Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which is partially controlled by Russian forces. He asserted, “We will punish the criminals. There can be no doubt about this.”
