Chechens Hope Their Battalions Now Fighting Russians in Ukraine will Become the Army of an Independent Ichkeria

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Feb. 1 – Chechens now fighting alongside Ukrainians against Russian invaders hope that the battalions they now have within the Foreign Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will grow into a national army that will eventually liberate and then defend an independent Ichkeria.

            Because of their earlier experience in fighting Russians, four Chechen fighters with whom Kavkazr journalists spoke say that they believe they are making a serious contribution to Ukraine’s defense (kavkazr.com/a/ukraintsy-po-mentaljnosti-pohozhi-na-chechentsev-monologi-voyuyuschih-za-kiev-ichkeriytsev/32801341.html).

            And because these Chechen fighters say that “Ukrainians [who] by their mentality are similar to Chechens in their sincerity and love for freedom” are treating them well, even conducting lie detector tests on those who want to join the Chechen units to prevent Russian and Kadyrov agents from penetrating their organizations.