Once rebellious, Ichkeria, which strived for independence, turned into its opposite - Kadyrov's province, completely subordinate to the Kremlin.
This scenario is not unique and is often repeated in empires.
During both Russian-Chechen wars, mutual hatred went off the charts, and Russia carried out genocide against the Chechens. It combined the bombing of cities with personal reprisals: kidnappings, torture, and executions. At that time, it was impossible to imagine Russians and Chechens together.
But continuing terror of the aggressor was exhausting the physical and moral resources of the Chechen resistance. The moment came when the victim, who had no help from anyone, was ready to do anything to stop the violence. Then, Russia offered a deal: a gradual return to normality in exchange for submission.
What methods Russia used:
◾️ selective amnesty for resistance members;
◾️ cooperation with collaborators: some became disillusioned with the prospects of the struggle, some found themselves in desperate conditions, and some were bought off. The main achievement of this policy was the defection of Kadyrov and the Yamadayev brothers to Moscow.
And then, it was no longer Russians fighting Chechens, but Chechens fighting Chechens. The trend intensified over time more and more people moved on from resistance to collaboration. The traitors have built their ideological platform capable of countering the liberation narrative. It was nothing original: being close to someone stronger is more profitable and safer; ending resistance leads to less overall suffering and stabilization while continuing resistance is futile and brings more suffering.
In Chechnya, this collaboration logic has gradually transformed into an ideology known as "Akhmat is power" or "the path of Akhmat-Khadzhi." Something like, "Akhmat Kadyrov's choice saved the Chechen nation from extermination." And it doesn't even matter now that the Russians were exterminating Chechens. The mere weakening of extreme terror is already perceived as a blessing. Putin and Kadyrov are perceived as defenders of the Chechens, even though it was Putin who had previously killed and terrorized them.
◾️ After the "rescue," large-scale investments started. Russia flooded conquered and destroyed Chechnya with money to pay collaborators and create propaganda. Visually, this can be seen first of all in the large-scale construction. Grozny, razed to the ground, was gradually turning into a Caucasian Dubai. Chechens were told: "Grozny has become better than it was, Russia is to Chechnya's advantage."
Resistance to Russian domination and the Kadyrovites in Chechnya was long and fierce. At that time, most of the world (and Ukraine as well) lived a quiet life and did not notice the tragedies and heroism in the North Caucasus. And that resistance disappeared. There were no more people, motivation, and any prospect of further struggle.
Russia made the Chechens' struggle for their own statehood a threat to their survival.
Now, as we see the challenges Georgia is going through, we remember Ichkeria.
In Ukraine, Russia is already starting to spread propaganda that there is only one alternative - peace under Russian rule or total annihilation.
There are more and more people who feel betrayed.
📹: "Ukraine will still fight with Russia on irreconcilable... As long as Russism exists, it will not give up its ambitions". Dzhokhar Dudayev spoke about Russia's war with Ukraine back in 1995.
This scenario is not unique and is often repeated in empires.
During both Russian-Chechen wars, mutual hatred went off the charts, and Russia carried out genocide against the Chechens. It combined the bombing of cities with personal reprisals: kidnappings, torture, and executions. At that time, it was impossible to imagine Russians and Chechens together.
But continuing terror of the aggressor was exhausting the physical and moral resources of the Chechen resistance. The moment came when the victim, who had no help from anyone, was ready to do anything to stop the violence. Then, Russia offered a deal: a gradual return to normality in exchange for submission.
What methods Russia used:
◾️ selective amnesty for resistance members;
◾️ cooperation with collaborators: some became disillusioned with the prospects of the struggle, some found themselves in desperate conditions, and some were bought off. The main achievement of this policy was the defection of Kadyrov and the Yamadayev brothers to Moscow.
And then, it was no longer Russians fighting Chechens, but Chechens fighting Chechens. The trend intensified over time more and more people moved on from resistance to collaboration. The traitors have built their ideological platform capable of countering the liberation narrative. It was nothing original: being close to someone stronger is more profitable and safer; ending resistance leads to less overall suffering and stabilization while continuing resistance is futile and brings more suffering.
In Chechnya, this collaboration logic has gradually transformed into an ideology known as "Akhmat is power" or "the path of Akhmat-Khadzhi." Something like, "Akhmat Kadyrov's choice saved the Chechen nation from extermination." And it doesn't even matter now that the Russians were exterminating Chechens. The mere weakening of extreme terror is already perceived as a blessing. Putin and Kadyrov are perceived as defenders of the Chechens, even though it was Putin who had previously killed and terrorized them.
◾️ After the "rescue," large-scale investments started. Russia flooded conquered and destroyed Chechnya with money to pay collaborators and create propaganda. Visually, this can be seen first of all in the large-scale construction. Grozny, razed to the ground, was gradually turning into a Caucasian Dubai. Chechens were told: "Grozny has become better than it was, Russia is to Chechnya's advantage."
Resistance to Russian domination and the Kadyrovites in Chechnya was long and fierce. At that time, most of the world (and Ukraine as well) lived a quiet life and did not notice the tragedies and heroism in the North Caucasus. And that resistance disappeared. There were no more people, motivation, and any prospect of further struggle.
Russia made the Chechens' struggle for their own statehood a threat to their survival.
Now, as we see the challenges Georgia is going through, we remember Ichkeria.
In Ukraine, Russia is already starting to spread propaganda that there is only one alternative - peace under Russian rule or total annihilation.
There are more and more people who feel betrayed.
📹: "Ukraine will still fight with Russia on irreconcilable... As long as Russism exists, it will not give up its ambitions". Dzhokhar Dudayev spoke about Russia's war with Ukraine back in 1995.
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