Kadyrov Calls on Putin to Attack NATO Countries Supporting Ukraine

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch strikes against NATO countries that are providing support to Ukraine. In a statement, Kadyrov claimed that his special forces units are "burning with desire" to carry out orders of increased complexity. He argued that if the countries helping Ukraine do not understand on their own that Russia will not patiently watch the situation, they need to be taught a lesson. "As soon as they smell the scent of trotyl, hear the roar of a Kalashnikov and the clatter of T-90 tank tracks, they will immediately understand everything... It's time to open fire!" Kadyrov said. He further asserted that Western nations fail to realize that Russia is currently conducting a "sparing warfare" and that once Russia releases the brakes on its war machine, all Western leaders will line up to apologize.

Meanwhile, data from the organization Memorial indicates that the number of armed formations under Kadyrov's command has nearly doubled since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, these formations comprised up to 18,000 personnel; by spring 2026, the number had reached approximately 33,000. Previously, it was reported that after the Russian army's failed assault on Kyiv in 2022, Kadyrov attempted to withdraw his fighters to Chechnya. Additionally, the Kremlin reportedly considered several scenarios for a possible change of power in Chechnya.