The leader of Russian Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, is attempting to demonstrate his loyalty to Russian President Vladimir Putin by actively promoting the activities of his units in the war against Ukraine, according to British intelligence.
This information is mentioned in a reconnaissance overview from the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom dated August 15, published on Twitter.
In the intelligence report, it is mentioned that on August 10, Kadyrov praised the efforts of the "Vostok" battalion, formed from Chechens, in heavy fighting on the Orikhiv direction in the Zaporizhia region.
Officially, "Vostok" is subordinated to the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the Southern Military District, which is actively operating in the area of the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhia region.
Chechen forces constitute a relatively small but noticeable component of Russian forces in Ukraine, the ministry emphasized.
"Kadyrov is likely actively promoting the role of his units in part to demonstrate his reputation as loyal to Putin," the statement reads.