22:40, 12 December 2019

Film director Sokurov disappointed with Putin's answer about Kadyrov

Vladimir Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, Alexander Sokurov. Photo: kremlin.ru, screenshot of the video by KAVPOLIT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6dEhS984XU/ Collage by the "Caucasian Knot"

Film director Alexander Sokurov wrote on Facebook that he was saddened by a refusal of President Vladimir Putin to review the status of Hero of Russia, which was awarded to participants on both sides of the war in Chechnya, including Ramzan Kadyrov. Users of social networks found the Alexander Sokurov's statement risky.

On December 10, Alexander Sokurov suggested President Putin "to review the status" of the title of Hero of Russia. The film director noted that both the leader of Chechnya and the Pskov paratroopers killed in a battle with Basaev's militants were awarded the status of Hero of Russia. The Russian President objected that a person who "sided with Russia" deserved the Hero of Russia award.

Ramzan Kadyrov accused Alexander Sokurov of nationalism and offered to punish him. Magomed Daudov, the speaker of the Chechen parliament, another former militant, also awarded the title of Hero of Russia, joined condemnation of Alexander Sokurov.

Let us remind you that in 1994-1996, during the first Chechen military campaign, Ramzan Kadyrov fought against the federal forces. In the autumn of 1999, at the beginning of the second Chechen military campaign, Akhmat and Ramzan Kadyrov sided with the Russian federal troops.

The title of Hero of Russia was also awarded to 22 Pskov paratroopers, who entered a battle with a grouping led by field commanders Shamil Basaev and Khattab at night on March 1, 2000. Out of 90 soldiers, only six survived.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 12, 2019 at 12:51 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.