Chechnya’s leader to send teenage sons to fight in Ukraine

Putin’s ally criticised a prime Russian normal for ‘mediocrity’ and mentioned his sons aged 14, 15, and 16 will go to warfare.

Chechen chief Ramzan Kadyrov – a detailed ally of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin – mentioned he’ll ship his three teenage sons to the entrance line to struggle within the warfare in Ukraine after admonishing Moscow’s army leaders for a collection of battlefield defeats.

Kadyrov, who instructions a private military combating in Ukraine, earlier demanded that the commander of Russian forces in japanese Ukraine be stripped of his medals and despatched to the entrance line to struggle. He criticised Colonel-Basic Aleksandr Lapin, calling him “mediocre”.

The Chechen chief has elevated his vitriol for army chiefs for the reason that withdrawal of Russian forces from the important thing metropolis of Lyman in japanese Ukraine.

On the Telegram messaging app, Kadyrov posted a video of his kids – Akhmat, 16, Eli, 15, and Adam, 14 – firing weapons. He wrote that they quickly shall be “on essentially the most tough sections of the contact line”.

He mentioned the kids had been skilled for fight “virtually from their youngest years” and insisted he “was not joking”.

“It’s time to show themselves in an actual struggle, I can solely welcome this want,” mentioned Kadyrov.

The video confirmed the boys in camouflage clothes and darkish glasses, on tanks, weapons strapped to their waists, capturing rocket launchers and machine weapons. At occasions, the youngsters smile whereas capturing or make a thumbs-up gesture.

Kadyrov has been one of the outspoken supporters of Russia and its invasion of Ukraine. He additionally prompt Russia ought to think about using a small tactical nuclear weapon.

The Kremlin on Monday dismissed his name to make use of low-yield nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Russian authorities spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Kadyrov’s remarks saying: “It is a very emotional second. The heads of areas have the precise to specific their perspective. Even at tough moments, feelings ought to nonetheless be excluded from any assessments.”

Peskov nonetheless hailed the “heroic contributions” of the Chechen chief to the army operation in Ukraine.

“Ramzan – you rock man!”

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founding father of the Wagner Group of mercenaries and generally known as Putin’s chef, congratulated Kadyrov on his remarks.

“Ramzan – you rock man!” Prigozhin mentioned in an announcement. “All these bastards needs to be despatched barefoot to the entrance with computerized weapons.”

When requested if his phrases needs to be thought of criticism of the defence ministry, Prigozhin replied, “God forbid.”

“These statements aren’t criticism, however merely a manifestation of affection and help,” mentioned Prigozhin, whose mercenary military has dabbled in conflicts in Mali, the Central African Republic, Libya and Syria.