Chechen Battalions and Russian Special Forces: A Ticking Time Bomb in Moscow’s Military Machine

6 min readOct 22, 2024

Let’s talk about the Chechen battalions, especially those lovable scamps known as the “Kadyrovites,” and how they’ve squeezed themselves into Russia’s security structure like an unwanted houseguest who just won’t leave. These guys are officially part of Russia’s National Guard — because why not give the guy who runs Chechnya his own personal army, right? But don’t think for a second that they blend in with the rest of the Russian military like one big happy family. Oh no, the relationship between these Chechen forces and Russia’s elite units, like the FSB and SOBR, is like a bad soap opera: full of suspicion, bad blood, and a constant undercurrent of “what if they stab us in the back?”

Why All the Drama?

This whole mess goes back to the Chechen wars in the ’90s and early 2000s. You know, that period when Chechen fighters were doing a pretty good job of making the Russian army look bad. Russian special forces lost a lot of their buddies in those battles, and they haven’t forgotten it. So now, when they’re expected to work alongside these former enemies, there’s a bit of a grudge — a giant, festering wound of a grudge. These guys still see the Chechen battalions as a ticking time bomb. After all, these are the same people who gave Russia a good ass-kicking just a couple of decades ago, and now they’re part of the same team? Yeah, right.

And let’s not forget that Chechnya’s current peace is mostly held together by the fact that the Kremlin is paying off Kadyrov to keep things under control. It’s kind of like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound — it looks fine for now, but how long is that cash flow going to last? Kadyrov’s got his own agenda, and the Russian special forces know it. The Kadyrovites might be waving the Russian flag for now, but their loyalty is questionable at best.

A Force of Their Own

Let’s be real: the Kadyrovites aren’t just part of the National Guard; they’re more like Kadyrov’s personal fan club with guns. Sure, on paper they report to Moscow, but everyone knows who’s really in charge — Kadyrov. This guy has his own army, his own special forces, and even his own TikTok warriors. Yep, these soldiers are more concerned with making viral videos than actually doing any serious soldiering. It’s like the world’s worst reality show, and Russian special forces hate it.

The cultural divide is huge, too. Russian special forces value discipline, uniformity, and professionalism — clean-cut, no nonsense. The Kadyrovites? Not so much. They roll in with their beards and swagger, and their love of social media is just icing on the cake. This isn’t just a clash of personalities; it’s a clash of cultures, and it runs deep. Russian officers can’t stand the idea of working with what they see as undisciplined, untrustworthy Chechen battalions.

When Chechens and Russians Brawl (Literally)

Take, for example, the infamous 2016 crimson beret scandal. This is the special award that’s supposed to symbolize elite status among Russia’s National Guard. It’s earned through grueling physical trials — unless you’re a Kadyrovite, in which case, just hop in a car and skip the hard stuff! When Russian soldiers found out that some Chechens were cheating their way to the prize, it wasn’t long before fists started flying. Nothing says “teamwork” like a good old-fashioned brawl over a beret.

And this wasn’t just an isolated incident. There’s a long-standing, unspoken rule in Russian security services that Chechens don’t get the same strategic assignments. It’s a trust issue that goes all the way back to Soviet times, and it’s still in effect today. Chechens aren’t allowed to serve in certain sensitive roles — border patrol, special service units — you name it. They’re kept at arm’s length, and it’s not hard to see why.

Chechens in Today’s Conflicts

Fast forward to the present, and you’ll see Chechen forces playing a role in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. But here’s the kicker: despite all the bravado, their battlefield effectiveness is a bit of a mixed bag. Sure, Kadyrov likes to present them as these elite warriors, but the reality is less impressive. They’ve been accused of war crimes, suffered heavy losses, and in some cases, they seem more interested in filming cool videos than actually fighting.

And yet, Kadyrov keeps sending them into the fray, not so much because they’re needed on the front lines, but because it looks good for his propaganda machine back home. After all, nothing says “loyal to the Kremlin” like a few TikTok videos of your soldiers flexing their muscles in a war zone.

The Bottom Line

The relationship between Chechen battalions and Russian special forces is a mess. It’s built on a shaky foundation of distrust, historical animosity, and cultural differences. The Kadyrovites might wear Russian uniforms, but they answer to Kadyrov, not Putin. For Russia’s elite forces, this is a powder keg waiting to explode. They’ve got one eye on the Chechens, always wondering when — not if — these battalions might turn against them.

So, the next time you hear about Chechen forces and Russia’s special forces working together, just remember: it’s less of a partnership and more of a high-stakes balancing act, where everyone’s waiting to see who slips first.

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