Chechens understand Ukrainian people better than other nations in the world as they have got a common enemy and a common struggle for freedom. Russia’s Chechen War which ended with establishing the “Russian world” in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was extremely brutal. It resulted in 300,000 civilians killed, 42,000 of them children. Russia almost completely destroyed the capital city of Grozny and forced millions to leave their homes.
Even though Moscow reestablished direct rule over Chechnya in 2000, the Chechens didn’t surrender. For years they ran insurgency operations against the pro-Russian Chechen forces. For many, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has become an opportunity to continue their fathers’ fight.
Thus, several Chechen battalions have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia, confirming that the Chechen nation is completely on Ukraine’s side. They are confident that Ukraine will manage to repel the enemy, the Chechen Republic will be liberated from the Russian occupation, and the two nations will establish friendly relations.
Speakers:
• Akhmed Zakayev, Head of the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile
• Hussein Dzhambetov, Head of the Information and Analytical Department of the Separate Special Purpose Battalion of the Ministry of Defense of the ChRI in the Foreign Legion of Ukraine
• Akhmad Aleviev, representative of the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in Ukraine
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.