Chechen leader Apti Alaudinov, according to a report by The Kyiv Independent, harshly criticized Chechen fighters who willingly turned themselves in to Ukrainian authorities, saying they had no right to live. In a video that he uploaded to his Telegram channel on September 15, Alaudinov declared that these soldiers had brought shame upon themselves and that they need to seek death as opposed to being held captive.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Alaudinov, a commander of the Akhmat unit fighting on Russia’s side in the ongoing war, declared that he would not engage in negotiations to secure the release of Chechens who willingly surrendered to Ukrainian forces. “I’m telling the Ukrainians: keep them for yourselves,” Alaudinov said. “I can exchange anyone, but not the Chechens who voluntarily surrendered.”
His remarks come after Ukrainian forces captured a number of Chechen fighters during an incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast in early August.
The surprise offensive saw Ukrainian forces making significant advances, with reports that some Chechen fighters offered little resistance before being taken captive. Russian military bloggers also criticized the Akhmat unit, accusing it of failing to put up a fight during the attack.
Alaudinov’s comments reflect deep cultural values tied to Chechen traditions of honor in warfare. “Chechens have always considered surrendering to captivity to be the greatest disgrace,” he emphasized. “Such a disgrace cannot be washed away with anything else but your blood.”
The commander urged those who had surrendered to take drastic action to redeem their honor, saying, “Just stand up, pick up something, and attack somebody. Do everything you can to get yourself killed.”
While Alaudinov condemned those who surrendered without resistance, he made a distinction regarding the wounded. He stated that efforts should be made to secure the release of injured Chechen prisoners, but for those who laid down arms, he held nothing but scorn.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
