Kadyrov's idea of using POWs as "human shield" surprises military experts

The air defence systems deployed in the republics of the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD) need to be strengthened to protect against drone attacks, while the Kadyrov's proposal to place Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) on building roofs is unable to protect from attacks.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 4, a drone attacked the building of the Akhmat Kadyrov Special Police Regiment in Grozny. As a result, the roof of the building was destroyed, Ramzan Kadyrov has informed. He posted a video of a meeting with Ukrainian POWs in Grozny and proposed placing them on roofs of possible air attack targets.

Vasily Dandykin, First Rank Captain, has noted that "meaningful facilities in Chechnya" were chosen for drone attacks. "Including those that are visited by the Kadyrovs ... The strikes on Chechnya have to do with the Chechen fighters' active participation in hostilities in Ukraine," he has stated, expressing doubt that Kadyrov's threats to place Ukrainian POWs on roofs of military facilities would stop the raids. According to Vasily Dandykin, Kyiv "understands that drone strikes are one of the few means Ukraine has to somehow influence the mood of Russian citizens, from leaders to ordinary people."

Alexander Khramchikhin, a military expert, has stressed the need to strengthen the air defence in Chechnya. He also believes that placing POWs on roofs of strategically important facilities will not protect them against new attacks.

In his turn, an activist of the "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD)* treats the Kadyrov's desire to place Ukrainian POWs on roofs of buildings to protect facilities as a serious reason to worry about the POWs' lives and health.

"What can you expect from a man who takes relatives of his opponents and even sick women hostage? It's his style," the activist has concluded.

*As reported on the website of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the reason for including on March 1, 2024, the unregistered "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD) into the roster of foreign agents was the spread of "inaccurate information aimed at creating a negative image of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian Armed Forces."