Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Threatens Ukraine After Drone Strike Near His Residence
GROZNY, Russia — A recent Ukrainian drone strike targeting a building less than a kilometer from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s residence in Grozny has escalated tensions, prompting Kadyrov to issue stern threats against Ukraine. The attack on November 5 struck the 28-story Grozny-City tower, located approximately 830 meters from Kadyrov’s home, reigniting memories of a 2022 plot involving Chechen forces attempting to infiltrate Kyiv to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials.
Kadyrov, a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of Moscow’s most aggressive enforcers, condemned the drone strike as tactically senseless in a Telegram post. While he confirmed there were no casualties, he vowed retaliation, warning that “starting tomorrow and in the course of the week, the Ukrainian fascists will be feeling a stern response.” He emphasized that unlike Ukraine’s strike, Chechen retaliation would avoid “cowardly strikes on peaceful targets,” according to Reuters.
Ukrainian strikes on Chechen territory are not unprecedented. Previous attacks have targeted a police barracks and a training academy, reflecting the ongoing conflict’s reach beyond Ukraine’s borders. Chechen units have been actively deployed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since 2022, serving as some of the Kremlin’s most loyal forces.
A former Ukrainian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Fox News Digital that Kadyrov’s latest threats mirror the 2022 assassination attempt when Chechen fighters were reportedly sent to Kyiv to eliminate Zelenskyy and senior government and security officials. “The Chechens are really serious about revenge,” the official said, though they noted that Kyiv is less alarmed now than during the initial invasion. “Zelenskyy is now better protected, feels more powerful and is less fragile.”
The ongoing conflict has seen a complex interplay of forces and tactics. The U.S. Department of Defense has monitored the involvement of Chechen special forces, including the Akhmat Special Forces commanded by Major-General Apti Alaudinov, who recently integrated 3,000 former Wagner Group troops into the regional army. This bolstered Chechen military capacity underscores the strategic importance Moscow places on the region.
Amid the drone strike and Kadyrov’s threats, Ukraine continues to strengthen its defenses and conduct targeted operations. The U.S. Department of State has repeatedly condemned Russian aggression and supported Ukraine with military aid, emphasizing the importance of protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The recent developments highlight the ongoing volatility in the region as Ukraine pushes back against Russian advances and their allied forces. Kadyrov’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the personal and political stakes involved, especially given the history of attempts to destabilize Ukraine’s leadership. As Kyiv braces for potential reprisals, the international community watches closely, aware that the conflict’s repercussions extend far beyond the immediate battlefield.
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