Kyiv Post: Chechen rebel officer talks of insurgent army to topple Kadyrov’s regime

Amid rumors of Ramzan Kadyrov’s fatal illness, a pro-Ukraine Chechen rebel officer says work is underway to create an insurgent army to liberate Chechnya from Kremlin rule, The Kyiv Post reports.

The political situation in Chechnya is unlikely to change while it remains part of the Russian Federation, Colonel Abdul Khakim, head of the Military Intelligence Department of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, told the Kyiv Post.

There has been a lot of speculation recently about potential deployments to Chechnya, given rumors about Ramzan Kadîrov’s health, Khakim said.

However, not even the death of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadîrov, according to Khakim, will change the game.

Colonel Khakim, whose forces are allied with Ukraine and based in Kiev, said that in his view, Kadyrov was not an independent figure in the Russian political arena. For significant changes to take place in Chechnya, the entire system of Russian power must change, along with Putin.

“If one doll is replaced by another, we shouldn’t expect much change,” Khakim said.

Kadyrov, however, has long hoped to build a dynasty in Chechnya. His father Akhmat ruled before him, and today his 18-year-old eldest son, also named Akhmat, still lacks the credibility to rule the republic.

Who will rule Chechnya, if Kadîrov dies

Khakim says there are three potential scenarios for the development of the situation in the case of Kadîrov’s death.

Perhaps the next potential leader of Chechnya after Kadîrov’s death is Magomed Daudov, nicknamed “The Lord” by Kadîrov’s entourage, who has long awaited his “finest hour,” Khakim said.

Another scenario is possible, in which people will breathe a sigh of relief after the disappearance of Kadyrov and his entourage, and a foreigner will be appointed to rule Chechnya, Khakim added.

“They will appoint a protégé from Moscow, like in Dagestan, some kind of governor-general with Russian roots,” Khakim said. Change would not end the oppression of the Chechen people.

Khakim offered a third scenario: Ramzan Kadyrov’s successor could be Apti Alaudinov, a scion of “old KGB officers” who made his career during Russia’s latest large-scale aggression against Ukraine.

“He [Alaudinov] he is well known to the Russian public for his ability to integrate with the Russian people. He speaks competently in pure Russian, unlike the uneducated Kadîrov,” he added.

Khakim said that if Apti Alaudinov comes to power, he would most likely try to purge Kadîrov’s entourage. Alaudinov’s next move would likely be to reform the political system in Chechnya built by Kadyrov and charge Kadyrov with crimes against the people, Khakim said, thus deflecting any public discontent from the Russian leadership and especially from President Putin.

Khakim said that no matter which of the three possible scenarios happens, the overall situation in Chechnya is unlikely to change, and Chechnya will still remain one of Russia’s regions.

An army to “liberate” Chechnya

As for possible uprisings and unrest in Chechnya after the end of Kadîrov’s rule, Khakim said it was very possible. Spontaneous unrest may occur as people, sensing the “wind of change”, will intuitively begin to disobey and sabotage the authorities.

“After all, the spirit of freedom is alive in our people!” says Khakim.

Khakim added that he did not expect an organized uprising in Chechnya in the near future, because today there are no leaders to prepare it and raise the people against Moscow.

“The Russians looked to the future in Chechnya and cleaned out all the underground cells. And it was done in the most despicable way – by the hands of the Kadirovites, who punished not only those who were against them, but also their relatives. Entire families have suffered,” Khakim said.

Khakim said that the main effect of the death of Ramzan Kadîrov will be great joy for the Chechen people.

“All Chechens, and not only Chechens, are tired of this character and his madness and statements on the Internet. So everyone will have very positive emotions,” he said.

Khakim said he plans to return to Chechnya one day, but that “certain events” must take place before that happens. It is being worked on, he said.

“We are recreating the armed forces of Ichkeria (the Chechen word for Chechnya), which will be able to completely liberate our lands! In addition to the armed forces, it is necessary to recreate all government institutions that will be able to take over the governance of the country in the shortest possible time.”

Khakim said that the economic development model of a future sovereign Ichkeria is very important. Its cornerstone should be the economic well-being of the people, as this would allow many Chechens living in other countries to return and work for the benefit of their homeland.

According to the media, the powerful leader of Chechnya, Kadîrov, has incurable pancreatic necrosis. Kadîrov was diagnosed with the disease in January 2019, but only recently has the Chechen leader’s illness been widely reported. I have little faith that Kadîrov will recover, Khakim said.

Novaya Gazeta Europe wrote on April 22 that since the spring of 2022, Kadîrov’s health has suddenly deteriorated. It appears that the illness has caused changes in Kadîrov’s behavior, although his entourage officially denies that he is ill.

Publisher: RK

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