Informal term for Chechnya-based detachments of Russian state agencies, effectively serving as Ramzan Kadyrov's private army. Formed in the late 1990s under Akhmad Kadyrov, they have been accused of human rights abuses including torture and extrajudicial killings. Active in Chechnya and involved in conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
CRIMENET has extracted 9 linkages for this organization, including 3 conflicts across 3 organizations, 6 other connections and footprints in 2 countries.
As part of Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war, Kadyrovite police units were deployed on the ground in Aleppo to 'preserve order' and engage in civic outreach.
Kadyrovite volunteer units participated in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February.