Why Are Russia And Muslimmajority Chechnya United On Ukraine

The troops entering Ukraine included officials from Russia’s semi-autonomous Muslim-majority Dagestan and Chechnya regions.Photo: Archives

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and Ukraine has been at war ever since.

The war could escalate as the U.S., U.K., European Union and NATO move in what Russia calls provocation, while Russia ramps up its attacks after talks failed.

Troops entering Ukraine included those from Russia’s semi-autonomous Muslim-majority Dagestan and Chechnya regions.

These forces include large numbers of Muslim troops, but interestingly, in the two states of Chechnya and Dagestan, Russia has faced armed resistance from separatists for decades.

So why do those who fought each other in the past seem to be united in the Ukraine war? Let’s try to understand its historical background.

History of the Russian-Chechen conflict
Russian troops stationed in the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999 – Photo: FileThe conflict between Russia and Chechnya is centuries old, dating back to the late 18th century.

Many Muslim-majority regions, including Dagestan and Chechnya, are part of the North Caucasus, which has been part of the war against Russian colonialism in the past.

From the 18th century, resistance against Russia, led by Imam Shamir, began here to preserve sovereignty and Islamic identity.

Imam Shamir was the great leader of the North Caucasus Muslims, under his leadership he showed unparalleled courage in the war against Russian colonialism. He was the third leader of the Imams of Dagestan and the Caucasus, and the third Imam of the Nakshbandi dynasty.

These Caucasus regions were under Iranian and Ottoman rule before Russian occupation, Muslim tribes in Dagestan and Chechnya had long resisted Russian forces, and it took Russia years to capture the region. The uprising continued until 1859, after which Imam Shamir had to surrender.

In 1917, the people of Chechnya took up arms again for independence and declared an independent government in other areas, including the Kav Mountains, but after the establishment of the Soviet Union, resistance gradually subsided.

Chechnya continued to be persecuted by the Soviet Union, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, separatist movements in Chechnya and Dagestan resurfaced and Russia resumed its war against the separatists.

Russia invades Chechnya
The destruction of the Chechen capital Grozny in 1995 – Photo: FileWhen the foundations of the Soviet Union began to falter in 1991, Chechen General Johar Dudayev, a member of the Soviet army, ousted the Soviet government from the capital Grozny and declared independence immediately after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Chechen separatists – Photo: FILE/APThe Russian government rejected the statement and imposed a three-year economic blockade on Grozny, unsuccessfully, and Russia invaded Chechnya.

Destruction in Chechen capital Grozny – Photo: FileThousands of Chechens were killed in the war and millions were injured. In 1996, a guerrilla attack by Chechen militants forced the Russian government to cease fire, and the two countries reached a peace agreement that stipulated the withdrawal of Russian troops from Grozny and the independence of Chechnya within five years.

Separatists ruled Chechnya during this period, but the agreement proved to be temporary.

Russia invades Chechnya again
In 1999, the North Caucasus was once again plunged into war.Photo: Archives In September 1999, a bomb exploded near the Russian capital Moscow, killing more than 100 people. Russia’s current president and then Prime Minister Vladimir Putin blamed the explosion on Chechen separatists and attacked Grozny again.

At the same time, the North Caucasus was once again plunged into war.

When and how did Russia unite with Chechnya?

Ahmed Kadyrov with Putin – Photo: FileRussia’s repeated attacks on Grozny are due to the region’s geographic location and rich mineral resources.

Chechnya has huge oil and gas reserves that Russia will never let go, so Russia began negotiating and reaching a deal with separatist leader Ahmed Kadyrov in 1999.

The agreement led to Russia’s “peace” with Chechnya, the status of the Russian Republic of Chechnya, Russia’s full support for Kadyrov and his support for the suppression of separatist movements.

Ahmed Kadyrov with Putin – Photo: FileIn 2003, Ahmed Kadyrov was elected the first president of the Chechen Republic in a disputed election, but was killed in a bomb blast at a memorial service in Grozny on May 9, 2004.

Since then, Russia’s campaign against separatists in troubled areas has continued, and in 2007, Ahmed Kadyrov’s son, current Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was nominated by Russian President Vladimir Putin for Chechnya Acting President of the Republic, later approved by the Chechen Parliament. He became the permanent president.

Thanks to a treaty with Russia, Chechnya became an official republic of Russia and gained semi-autonomy.

Photo of Ahmed Kadyrov and his son Ramzan Kadyrov – Photo: Tas/FileRussia announced in 2009 that it would end its military operations in Chechnya, but the separatist movement continues, largely controlled by Ramzan Kadyrov.

The leader of the Russian Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has been accused by Western countries of gross human rights violations and a crackdown on dissidents in the country.

Recent relations between Russia and Chechnya
Economically, Chechnya claims rapid economic growth and has Russian currency.Photos: Documents At present, Russian President Vladimir Putin is the commander-in-chief of the Chechen Republic, and the head of the Chechen Republic is Ramzan Kadyrov.

Despite being a Russian republic, Chechnya still has some Islamic laws. At the same time, the infrastructure of the destroyed country was rebuilt, and a large mosque was built in Grozny.

Economically, Chechnya also claims rapid growth and has Russian currency.

Chechnya’s role in the recent Ukrainian war
Chechnya also supported Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and now publicly supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The semi-autonomous Muslim-majority country has also sent troops to Ukraine.

Recently, Ramzan Kadyrov assembled 12,000 soldiers in Grozny and threatened to defend the country (Russia) and the President of Ukraine.

Soldiers from another Muslim-majority Russian republic of Dagestan are also fighting in Ukraine.

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