According to his own statements, the notorious head of the Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, wants to send three of his underage children to the war against Ukraine. The 14-16 year olds Achmat, Selimchan and Adam are ready to use the combat skills they trained in “special military operation”, Kadyrov wrote on Telegram on Monday.
“And I’m not kidding. (…) Soon they will be sent to the front and will be in the more difficult sections of the contact line.” He also posted a video showing his children practicing target practice.
ardent defender of war
Kadyrov, known for his brutal leadership in Muslim-leaning Chechnya in the North Caucasus, has emerged as one of the most ardent advocates of war since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He also has a reputation for breaking Russian laws without consequences. After the Russian defeats, he repeatedly criticized his country’s military leadership and called for far-reaching consequences. Recently, he even spoke out in favor of considering the use of lower-yield nuclear weapons.
When asked about Kadyrov’s harsh criticism of the course of the war, which Moscow continues to refer to as a “special military operation”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday simply: “Regional chiefs have authority to express his point of view and make assessments.” At first, he did not comment on the planned upbringing of Kadyrov’s children as soldiers.