Alright, let’s set some things straight about Kadyrov’s “visits” to the front. Kadyrov has claimed to have made 3 trips so far: Belarus, Hostomel & Mariupol. (A Thread)
Preface 1) Since assuming power, Ramzan has tried to avoid staying overnight outside of Chechnya. This is important bc it means any visit is definitely in & out.
2) Videos never posted immediately → he’s never there when they are released
Kadyrov visited the staging grounds in Belarus before the invasion. Met with Rosgvardia leadership & his commanders. His trip wasn’t revealed until 2/25. t.me/groznytv/9170
RFE/RL's North Caucasus service (@kavkaz_realii) interviewed Adam Osmaev, commander of the Dzhokhar Dudaev Volunteer Battalion. Osmaev took over from Ichkerian General Isa Munaev & has survived mult attempts on his life. I'll summarize here in this thread
AO: That's sensitive info, so we aren't disclosing it
KR: You have veterans in your unit? Is it all Chechens?
AO: Chechens weren't even the majority in the beginning (was Ukrainians). We have Georgians & Azerbaijanis. Have veterans of Afghanistan and both Chechen wars