Russia deploys its trusted Chechens
In the video, all nine men appear pumped-up, donning beards, beanie hats, and khaki uniforms without name tags.
One of them holds a walkie-talkie, while another carries a gun. Behind them, jeeps and silver minibuses are visible. Most of the men are preparing to depart, but one of them requests a photograph instead of filming.
Speaking in Chechen, he directs the request to the unseen cameraman.
Russia deploys its trusted Chechens to control Ukraine’s nuclear town.
The camera shifts to another man engrossed in checking his smartphone. The cameraman remarks, “This comrade is staying.”
The man with the phone assumes an air of authority. He winks, smiles, and responds, “I’ll be leaving later.”
Their demeanor suggests a sense of relaxation, reminiscent of their surroundings in Chechnya. It is a predominantly Muslim province in Russia’s North Caucasus region. Ramzan Kadyrov, a self-proclaimed “soldier” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, holds sway in this area.
Russian deploys its trusted Chechens in Ukraine
However, despite their appearance and attitude, these men were filmed approximately 1,200 kilometers northwest from home. It is specifically near blocks 3, 4, and 5 of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It is the largest nuclear facility in Europe – situated in the Russia-occupied part of southeastern Ukraine.
Al Jazeera shared this video. It identified the individual with the phone as Colonel Makhmud Khusiyev, a 43-year-old former wrestler.
Although the footage bears the date of January 7, it is plausible that it was recorded earlier.
To verify his identity, the agency utilized face-recognition software, comparing high-resolution photos and videos of Khusiyev with media reports that feature him.
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