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Many doubt the loyalty of the
Kadyrov regiment to post-Putin Kremlin. (Reuters) |
SHALI, Russia — The militia Russia has been training and equipping to keep Chechnya under control could become its new enemy in the Caucasus republic especially after strongman Vladimir Putin moves from the Kremlin to the White House, analysts believe.
"Many in the Russian military and intelligence services believe the real enemy is not the remaining rebels but these Chechen military units," Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent Moscow-based military analyst, told Reuters on Wednesday, March 19.
Russia has been arming a local militia loyal to Moscow-installed President Ramzan Kadyrov, a former militant, to keep control of the republic.
"The Russians have re-equipped and trained my men," said an officer of the paramilitary force stationed in a base in the town of Shali.
His men, known as Kadyrov regiment, wore black bandannas and new camouflage uniforms with ammunition magazines filling their chest pouches.
They cradled modern Kalashnikov automatic rifles with grenade-launchers fixed to the barrels.
Outside in the courtyard of the barracks stood an armored personnel carrier -- another gift from the Russians.
"We now have new weapons, new armored personnel carriers, sniper rifles and anti-mine equipment," said the officer.
"Do British army officers get paid as well as me?" he asked, saying he receives around $1,400 per month -- a fine salary in Russia and a fortune in Chechnya where unemployment is rampant.
This is the trade-off that has helped Putin subdue Chechen independence fighters.
Chechnya has been ravaged by conflict since 1994, with just three years of relative peace after the first war between Russian forces and Chechen fighters ended in August 1996 and the second broke out in October 1999.
Unclear
While Russian troops stay in their bases, Kadyrov's forces patrol Chechnya and fight its enemies.
"Look at these men," said the officer waving his arm at his soldiers.
"They've just come back from spending three days hiding in the snow. The Russians can't do that," he boasted, his pale blue eyes sparkling with pride.
Flying from its hatch was not the Russian flag, but the Chechen banner with a portrait of Kadyrov's father superimposed on the cloth.
"These Chechen units are the best equipped and battle-ready in the Russian army," said Felgenhauer, the analyst.
Many doubt their loyalty to the Kremlin, especially with alley and mentor Putin stepping down as president in May.
"We do not know what the relationship will be," James Nixey, an analyst with the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, a British-based think tank, told Reuters.
"Kadyrov's relationship with [Dmitry] Medvedev is very open to question right now," he said, referring to the Russian president-elect.
Kadyrov, 31, has a strong personal bond to Putin and it is unclear if he will have the same allegiance to his successor.
Putin is likely to remain a key player in the Russian politician game, serving as prime minister from the White House, the Russian government premises.
But some analyst believe that his hand-picked successor might over the course of time break free from his influence and decided to run his own show.
The stocky, bearded Kadyrov also has the swagger and confidence of a leader with near absolute powers.
He lives in a medieval-style fortress with two stone lions guarding the entrance, drives himself around Chechnya in one of his western-made luxury cars.
Kadyrov supports polygamy and wants women to wear the hijab, both in contravention of the Russian constitution.
With attacks becoming rare, wrecked apartment buildings being rebuilt and roads paved, many Chechens credit Kadyrov with repairing the tattered republic.
His portraits -- some with him standing next to his father, or with Putin – are dotted around Chechnya's towns.
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