Video reports on Kadyrov and Delimkhanov’s trips to Ukraine become element of propaganda

Analysts interviewed by the “Caucasian Knot” note that Ramzan Kadyrov and State Duma member Adam Delimkhanov are trying to demonstrate the important role of Chechen fighters in the special military operation by posting videos about their visit to Ukraine.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 13, several Telegram channels, including the “Grozny” ChGTRK (Chechen State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company), posted videos stating that Ramzan Kadyrov arrived in Ukraine and met Chechen law enforcers participating in the special military operation. Tonight, Ramzan Kadyrov has confirmed that the video was filmed in Gostomel in the Kiev Region. The leader of Chechnya has also said that his adviser Adam Delimkhanov, a State Duma member from Chechnya, is in Ukraine.

Alexei Malashenko, the chief researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), believes that the released videos are intended not only for an audience inside Chechnya.

“It is important for them that not only the audience in Chechnya understands the essence of what is happening on the video. They post the videos both for Chechen users and residents of other regions. This is an attempt to increase the popularity of the Chechen military. They want to show their important role in all those processes,” Alexei Malashenko told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the “Civic Assistance” Committee*, believes that the Ramzan Kadyrov’s report on visiting the war zone is intended not only for the intra-Chechen audience, but also for the Kremlin. “The most important thing for him is to be appreciated in the Kremlin. Meanwhile, of course, they do not forget about their people, to whom they always want to demonstrate their strength. They consider it their duty. To show that they are armed, strong and can do anything,” explained the human rights defender.

* The organization is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the register of NCOs performing the functions of a foreign agent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 14, 2022 at 02:08 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.