This article discusses the similarities between Russia’s actions in Chechnya and Ukraine, as well as the parallels between the two conflicts. The author, Marat Iliyasov, a professor from Kazakhstan, compares the tactics used by Russian forces in both cases, highlighting their attempts to eliminate leadership, use lightning war strategies, and resort to desperate violence when they failed.
Some of the key points made in the article include:
* Russia’s actions in Chechnya and Ukraine are similar, with both involving attempts to first eliminate the leadership of so-called separatists.
* Both conflicts saw a desire for retaliation after failing to achieve success in a “decent” or “just” war, leading to desperate violence against civilians.
* Russian troops have used civilians as human shields to protect themselves from open combat, fearing defeat.
* The article also mentions the 1995 hostage crisis in Budyonnovsk, orchestrated by Shamil Basayev, which brought people to the negotiation table, and how Chechens weren’t killing their hostages but Russians did.
The article concludes with a message of hope that Ukraine might bring an end to Russia’s imperial mindset and lead to a more democratic Russia.
