Chechen Troops Ordered To Lead Ukraine Combat Operations

In a significant development, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington, DC-based think tank, on Thursday revealed that fighters from Russia's Chechnya region have likely received orders to play a leading role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This revelation comes as the governor of Russia's Belgorod region announced the evacuation of children due to continued cross-border attacks from Ukraine.

According to the latest report by the ISW, Russian military commanders are believed to have directed the deployment of Chechen fighters following the withdrawal of Wagner Group mercenaries from the heavily damaged city of Bakhmut.

The ISW report highlights that the return of Chechen forces to offensive operations would mark the end of their nearly yearlong hiatus from participating in high-intensity combat operations in Ukraine.

Previously, Chechen fighters were primarily engaged in areas behind the front line, following their involvement in intense battles in cities like Mariupol, Severodonetsk, and Lysychanak.

The ISW suggests that the Kremlin may view Chechen units as an untapped assault force capable of revitalizing Russia's ability to sustain multiple simultaneous offensive efforts on different fronts.

The Institute for the Study of War's report provides valuable insights into the evolving situation on the ground, shedding light on the changing composition of forces and the potential implications for the conflict.