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“I am here in Ukraine fighting because first the Russians came to my motherland, Chechnya. Now they want to do here what they did to us.” Kazbek has just picked me up from Dnipro station to take me to his base near Bakhmut, where he and his unit are fighting on Ukraine’s bloodiest front. I climb into the back seat, where propped up in the middle is Kazbek’s automatic rifle, the FN SCAR. It’s colossal; and it will set the mood for the next few days.
I first met Kazbek last spring on a Ukrainian military base on the frontline in the Donbas. With his well-tended beard, he looked like a typical Chechen. I was surprised to see him. Chechens in Ukraine were, I thought, all fighting for Russia under orders from their leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin’s psychopathic puppet leader of Chechnya. I was wrong.
Russia’s victory in the Second Chechen War, which ended in April 2000, cemented Putin’s position as President. It also resulted in the levelling of Chechnya’s capital, Grozny. Many of those who had fought the Russians fled abroad, fanning out across Europe and the Middle East. But some were not done, and they eventually ended up in Ukraine, determined to keep battling Moscow wherever they could. Today, there are four dedicated Chechen battalions, at least two of which, the Dzhokhar Dudayev and Sheikh Mansur Battalions, have been fighting since the war began in 2014.
Kazbek is one of around 200 Chechens here. After leaving his home country in the 2000s, he married a Ukrainian woman and had a son, Deni. He considers himself a Chechen-Ukrainian. In the Donbas, the soldiers treat him like a cooler older brother. “He’s a great fighter,” my friend Dima told me. “Really good at tactics.”
That in itself isn’t surprising: Kazbek has been fighting Russians since the first Chechen War broke out in 1994. “Everyone rose up — women, children went to the mountains and the men went to war — every man,” he tells me now. He pauses. “We had no fear of the Russians,” he tells me. “Only rage.”
***
We drive out of Dnipro toward the base. Kazbek’s immaculate beard has grown, in eight months, into a bushy mass with an upturned moustache. His head remains a perfectly shaved, symmetrical dome. Now he is accompanied by his friend Yevgeny (half-Chechen, half-Ukrainian), who puts on some Chechen music. “Bro, first we go to the cemetery, is that ok?”
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SubscribeGood article. Correctly points out that the Ukraine war is largely about Russian imperialism – a desperate attempt to reverse the inevitable decline and break up of the Russian empire (which actually extends to within Russia itself as it currently exists). Correctly notes that Britain and France have largely accepted the dissolution of their empires and in Britain’s case at least had the good sense not to fight it (while France tried and failed in Vietnam and Algeria).
The break-up of the Soviet Union was not actually the final break-up of the Russian empire. That’s still happening. But it will happen. Whether Putin likes it or not.
We did try and fight in Suez. After being soundly beaten, that was enough for us and led to rapid decolonisation.
Thanks – I forgot that ! The USA was actually a very strong driver in making us decolonise if you think about it – we ended WWII pretty much penniless and they – correctly – forced us to get out of Suez.
Decolonising sometimes against the will of the people in the colonies, too.
No worries, as you say USA forced our hand there; they have not always had our best interests at heart. But neither should they – they are their own country with their interests
As to it being correct – in terms of a sovereign nation deciding what they wanted to do with their own resources, that seems true. However, when Iran tried to do the same thing in 50s with their oil, US and UK orchestrated a coup.
We are still living with not so much the colonisation but the decolonisation of European empires IMHO
As it was mentioned here — we, Americans are somewhat materialistic. So in a few weeks the US will be like “have a good time Europe cleaning your mess, we’ve got other things to do”. Only one thing concerns us – we need to collect our money and sell new shiny weapons to EU govs.
As to it being correct – in terms of a sovereign nation deciding what they wanted to do with their own resources, that seems true. However, when Iran tried to do the same thing in 50s with their oil, US and UK orchestrated a coup.
We are still living with not so much the colonisation but the decolonisation of European empires IMHO
As it was mentioned here — we, Americans are somewhat materialistic. So in a few weeks the US will be like “have a good time Europe cleaning your mess, we’ve got other things to do”. Only one thing concerns us – we need to collect our money and sell new shiny weapons to EU govs.
Britain was bankrupt in 1942.Britain had paid for the Suez Canal which brought much trade and development to Egypt.Eisenhower later realised he had made a mistake in forcing Israel, Britain and France to back down. Nasser replaced monarchy with Arab Nationalism which attacked Israel. When Arab Nationalism was seen to fail post Yom Kippur War, the Muslim Bretheren founded in the 1920s, started to grow immensely. The MB said The West comprised Capitalism and Communism and were a threat to Islam. A MB taught Bin Laden.
Monarchies have been far better at preventing the rise of Islamic Extremism than republican countries.
Decolonising sometimes against the will of the people in the colonies, too.
No worries, as you say USA forced our hand there; they have not always had our best interests at heart. But neither should they – they are their own country with their interests
Britain was bankrupt in 1942.Britain had paid for the Suez Canal which brought much trade and development to Egypt.Eisenhower later realised he had made a mistake in forcing Israel, Britain and France to back down. Nasser replaced monarchy with Arab Nationalism which attacked Israel. When Arab Nationalism was seen to fail post Yom Kippur War, the Muslim Bretheren founded in the 1920s, started to grow immensely. The MB said The West comprised Capitalism and Communism and were a threat to Islam. A MB taught Bin Laden.
Monarchies have been far better at preventing the rise of Islamic Extremism than republican countries.
Thanks – I forgot that ! The USA was actually a very strong driver in making us decolonise if you think about it – we ended WWII pretty much penniless and they – correctly – forced us to get out of Suez.
Yup, Kazbek’s analysis, and his views on religion are spot on.
I don’t know why. This is nothing to do with Imperialism. That is just potted notion of Russia.
Oh those wet dreams to conquer, destroy or break up Russia! Century after century, wave after wave, war after war. Teaching Russians to be cautions and never trust the West. I guess they are finally learning.
Putin’s support within Russia is 83% (was 71% Feb 2022). Good luck wiping out 150*0.83 million people from the planet.
They seem to be doing an excellent job of that themselves.
Continuing the work done in the 1930s and 40s, are we?
They seem to be doing an excellent job of that themselves.
Continuing the work done in the 1930s and 40s, are we?
We did try and fight in Suez. After being soundly beaten, that was enough for us and led to rapid decolonisation.
Yup, Kazbek’s analysis, and his views on religion are spot on.
I don’t know why. This is nothing to do with Imperialism. That is just potted notion of Russia.
Oh those wet dreams to conquer, destroy or break up Russia! Century after century, wave after wave, war after war. Teaching Russians to be cautions and never trust the West. I guess they are finally learning.
Putin’s support within Russia is 83% (was 71% Feb 2022). Good luck wiping out 150*0.83 million people from the planet.
Good article. Correctly points out that the Ukraine war is largely about Russian imperialism – a desperate attempt to reverse the inevitable decline and break up of the Russian empire (which actually extends to within Russia itself as it currently exists). Correctly notes that Britain and France have largely accepted the dissolution of their empires and in Britain’s case at least had the good sense not to fight it (while France tried and failed in Vietnam and Algeria).
The break-up of the Soviet Union was not actually the final break-up of the Russian empire. That’s still happening. But it will happen. Whether Putin likes it or not.
Very interesting article. Thank you.
Yes indeed.
Yes indeed.
Very interesting article. Thank you.
Great article. Well done Unherd.
Very much chimes with the sentiments of Chechens I have known. I think the comparison with Gurkhas is a bit of a stretch and not worthy of the rest of the article. Joining up to fight a war you believe in is not the same as signing up for life-long service to a country whose wars you do not choose, although once promised Ukraine should stick to it.
Great article. Well done Unherd.
Very much chimes with the sentiments of Chechens I have known. I think the comparison with Gurkhas is a bit of a stretch and not worthy of the rest of the article. Joining up to fight a war you believe in is not the same as signing up for life-long service to a country whose wars you do not choose, although once promised Ukraine should stick to it.
Yes, the Chechens who fled Russia after the war were a famously upright bunch. No unsavoury associations whatsoever.
Unlike the Chechens who fight for the Russians, who are angels?
Not what I said or implied. If anyone’s trying to tell you there are angels on either side of this war, I say count the spoons because he’s up to something.
It’s really not a matter of who is or is not an angel, Russia invaded a sovereign nation and that nation is fighting back as hard as it can, as would the UK or USA or any other nation.
It’s really not a matter of what sovereign nation did or did not invade another sovereign nation. Keir Starmer doesn’t know what a woman is.
(See, I can derail people by bringing up true facts that are totally irelevant to what they’re saying as well!)
It’s really not a matter of what sovereign nation did or did not invade another sovereign nation. Keir Starmer doesn’t know what a woman is.
(See, I can derail people by bringing up true facts that are totally irelevant to what they’re saying as well!)
It’s really not a matter of who is or is not an angel, Russia invaded a sovereign nation and that nation is fighting back as hard as it can, as would the UK or USA or any other nation.
Not what I said or implied. If anyone’s trying to tell you there are angels on either side of this war, I say count the spoons because he’s up to something.
Unlike the Chechens who fight for the Russians, who are angels?
Yes, the Chechens who fled Russia after the war were a famously upright bunch. No unsavoury associations whatsoever.
Wonder how many of them will hold high office in whatever version of Chechnya there is after this war?
Indeed, we will soon see just how diverse and “shatterable” the Russian Federation really is.
The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union both had feet of clay. In each case, it took an ill-conceived war to finish them off.
Wonder how many of them will hold high office in whatever version of Chechnya there is after this war?
Indeed, we will soon see just how diverse and “shatterable” the Russian Federation really is.
The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union both had feet of clay. In each case, it took an ill-conceived war to finish them off.
Poor murderous outlaws never having a chance to go back to their homeland. Mercenaries who will live their short lives pretending that they are fighting for some noble cause. Until they are killed in a combat deep down knowing that it’s for somebody else’s cause.
Google pictures of Grozniy city. It’s marvelous. I have a friend who visited it a couple of years ago, he says it’s something. Alas, the heroes of this article will never see the land of their fathers.
The Poles also came to the U.K. to fight for a noble cause as their country was destroyed by the Nazis and the Russians. And they didn’t get it back for another 40 years after the war – they couldn’t go back there under the communist tyrants.
But there were lovely cities built after the war in Poland too – and yet they still wanted freedom from the Russian overlords. Not everyone values mere material things like you.
Where this strong smell of Orwellian history rewriting is coming from? Destroyed by Nazis *and* the Russians? And who exactly liberated Pols from Nazis? UK maybe, while sitting on the sidelines up until mid-1944? I see. There were so many Russians and Belorussians and Ukrainians died fighting for Poland against Germans they could not bring the bodies back. So they had those graves — those the thankful Pols now destroying to clean up the memory.
Then 400,000 US trucks, 15,000 US aircraft and 15,000 tanks given to Russia during the war liberated Poland. No Russian offensive after 1943 could have succeeded without them.
That’s why Russia won, and why Ukraine will win.
It is like David and Goliath and it wasn’t David who started the war. I wish a peace could be sorted out but I doubt Russia would co-operate under Putin.
It is like David and Goliath and it wasn’t David who started the war. I wish a peace could be sorted out but I doubt Russia would co-operate under Putin.
Your awkward English suggests to me that your name is a nom de plume and you’re here to troll.
Rewriting history? You do know Russia agreed to carve up Poland with Hitler, and then massacred the officers of the Polish army; then watched the Nazis flatten Warsaw and slaughter the Jews of Warsaw as they ‘waited’ at the gates of Warsaw for the slaughter of the Jews to end?
Then 400,000 US trucks, 15,000 US aircraft and 15,000 tanks given to Russia during the war liberated Poland. No Russian offensive after 1943 could have succeeded without them.
That’s why Russia won, and why Ukraine will win.
Your awkward English suggests to me that your name is a nom de plume and you’re here to troll.
Rewriting history? You do know Russia agreed to carve up Poland with Hitler, and then massacred the officers of the Polish army; then watched the Nazis flatten Warsaw and slaughter the Jews of Warsaw as they ‘waited’ at the gates of Warsaw for the slaughter of the Jews to end?
It appears to me that Putin terrorises Eastern Europe with his threats. Nobody had better help Ukraine or we will start on you. Haven’t they always been like that?
Where this strong smell of Orwellian history rewriting is coming from? Destroyed by Nazis *and* the Russians? And who exactly liberated Pols from Nazis? UK maybe, while sitting on the sidelines up until mid-1944? I see. There were so many Russians and Belorussians and Ukrainians died fighting for Poland against Germans they could not bring the bodies back. So they had those graves — those the thankful Pols now destroying to clean up the memory.
It appears to me that Putin terrorises Eastern Europe with his threats. Nobody had better help Ukraine or we will start on you. Haven’t they always been like that?
I suspect the Germans would have made Leningrad–or London–into a “marvellous city” if they had won the war.
What’s your point?
How can Nazis build marvellous cities? Nobody would be free.
How can Nazis build marvellous cities? Nobody would be free.
The Poles also came to the U.K. to fight for a noble cause as their country was destroyed by the Nazis and the Russians. And they didn’t get it back for another 40 years after the war – they couldn’t go back there under the communist tyrants.
But there were lovely cities built after the war in Poland too – and yet they still wanted freedom from the Russian overlords. Not everyone values mere material things like you.
I suspect the Germans would have made Leningrad–or London–into a “marvellous city” if they had won the war.
What’s your point?
Poor murderous outlaws never having a chance to go back to their homeland. Mercenaries who will live their short lives pretending that they are fighting for some noble cause. Until they are killed in a combat deep down knowing that it’s for somebody else’s cause.
Google pictures of Grozniy city. It’s marvelous. I have a friend who visited it a couple of years ago, he says it’s something. Alas, the heroes of this article will never see the land of their fathers.
”MacGregor emphasizes that what the western public are told about the war is not consistent with the reality what is taking place on the ground in Ukraine. The term ‘hybrid warfare,’ which includes the U.S. State Dept. pushing a very specific propaganda message to the media”
Here is Col MacGreggor with Judge Andrew Napolitano half an hour which will give the diametrically opposite story of what we are told. If you read this article watch this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15kIJint4A
Well worth getting the different view, and one I believe over the MSM and Biden White house and Zalenski story. I have been totally against the West getting involved – I think this is the most insane war the USA has ever caused. The Colonel is a very high placed expert.
”The U.S. led NATO alliance may be winning the narrative, as outlined by media; however, the Russians are winning the actual fighting on the ground in Ukraine. In addition to noting the Russian cultural aspects of the conflict, Col MacGregor gives some somber analysis about how dangerous this is becoming as the U.S. political voices are not willing to concede or admit anything that runs counter to their promoted narrative. ”
This war is evil – it needs ending! PEACE NOW, PEACE, Biden could end it in One Minute if he wishes. This is Biden White House proxy war with Russia for some reason we do not understand. Some corrupt and horrible Globalist thing. Ukraine is destroyed as we use their land and people to be the chess board the globalists are playing this game on. This War may destroy Europe and the Global economy and Will cause a Global Famine, and will basically destroy the nation of Ukraine – listen, google the guy.
Finally, I wonder how much the men in the article above are getting paid, Mercenaries have fought all wars, and are on every side of this one – plenty of money there – I trust nothing I read of this War, and for good reason – I saw Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Vietnam and more – this is MUCH WORSE.
This is the same man who was an ardent supporter of the 2nd Iraq war; claimed that there were more Irish than African slaves in the US and called for the annexation of the Donbas, by Russia in 2014?
Sorry, just cite the war that was ended before:
A) one side won, or,
B) Both sides were exhausted.
Long way from that, and tears won’t get us there.
So you think the west should just keep out of it and let Ukraine die? After that it might be Poland, Romania and Hungary etc all to get back the countries that the Soviet Communists ruled. These countries must live in fear with Russia on their doorsteps.
This is the same man who was an ardent supporter of the 2nd Iraq war; claimed that there were more Irish than African slaves in the US and called for the annexation of the Donbas, by Russia in 2014?
Sorry, just cite the war that was ended before:
A) one side won, or,
B) Both sides were exhausted.
Long way from that, and tears won’t get us there.
So you think the west should just keep out of it and let Ukraine die? After that it might be Poland, Romania and Hungary etc all to get back the countries that the Soviet Communists ruled. These countries must live in fear with Russia on their doorsteps.
”MacGregor emphasizes that what the western public are told about the war is not consistent with the reality what is taking place on the ground in Ukraine. The term ‘hybrid warfare,’ which includes the U.S. State Dept. pushing a very specific propaganda message to the media”
Here is Col MacGreggor with Judge Andrew Napolitano half an hour which will give the diametrically opposite story of what we are told. If you read this article watch this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15kIJint4A
Well worth getting the different view, and one I believe over the MSM and Biden White house and Zalenski story. I have been totally against the West getting involved – I think this is the most insane war the USA has ever caused. The Colonel is a very high placed expert.
”The U.S. led NATO alliance may be winning the narrative, as outlined by media; however, the Russians are winning the actual fighting on the ground in Ukraine. In addition to noting the Russian cultural aspects of the conflict, Col MacGregor gives some somber analysis about how dangerous this is becoming as the U.S. political voices are not willing to concede or admit anything that runs counter to their promoted narrative. ”
This war is evil – it needs ending! PEACE NOW, PEACE, Biden could end it in One Minute if he wishes. This is Biden White House proxy war with Russia for some reason we do not understand. Some corrupt and horrible Globalist thing. Ukraine is destroyed as we use their land and people to be the chess board the globalists are playing this game on. This War may destroy Europe and the Global economy and Will cause a Global Famine, and will basically destroy the nation of Ukraine – listen, google the guy.
Finally, I wonder how much the men in the article above are getting paid, Mercenaries have fought all wars, and are on every side of this one – plenty of money there – I trust nothing I read of this War, and for good reason – I saw Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Vietnam and more – this is MUCH WORSE.